xports
of Canadian agricultural goods reached a record level in the first 11
months of 2001, with the biggest increases in slaughtered cattle, beef
and pork.
Canada exported US$15.3 billion-worth of agricultural and agri-food
products between January and November last year, according to figures
compiled by Statistics Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
That represents an increase of 13.4 per cent over the same period in
2000.
Sales of slaughtered cattle, mostly to the US, soared by 48 per cent,
while sales of fresh and frozen pork were up 26.7 per cent and beef
exports rose by 24.6 per cent.
Canada’s
role as a provider of food products to the big American market, to Japan
and Mexico is rapidly expanding to include the UK and the rest of Europe.
The country exports a whole variety of foods, including processed meat
and poultry and cheese, with the selling point that these are made in
Canada – something officials are keen to promote as a badge of
quality.
Analysis by consulting firm KPMG concludes that the costs for Canadian-based
food processors are 7.5 per cent lower than those in the US. In the
food-processing sector, Canada ranked first in North America and fourth
overall, behind the UK, Italy and Netherlands.
Ontario
is leading the country in exporting agri-food products, with sales up
13 per cent up on the previous year, while the rest of Canada saw export
growth of less than six per cent.
Provincial minister for agriculture Brian Coburn says: “Ontario
remains on the right track, continuing to cut taxes, reduce red tape
and support the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, which has a
vital role to play in the province’s economy.”
Virtually every sector of the province’s agribusiness saw higher
exports. Food ingredients were up 35 per cent, grains 24 per cent, fresh
and processed vegetables 23 per cent, meat and animals 22 per cent,
and confectionery 18 per cent.
Quebec
is a key exporter of staples, such as meat and dairy products, to the
US. The agriculture ministry administers a sector which provides one
in nine of the province’s jobs. It organises round-table groups
to coordinate the sales and marketing of food products in no less than
27 key areas, ranging from milk and cheese to pork and lamb.
Nearly three-quarters of all Quebec’s food exports are destined
for the US, while about eight per cent goes to Europe. Of this, about
a quarter arrives in the UK. Needless to say, maple syrup represents
an important niche area.
Quebec’s primary exports include pork, beverages, cocoa by-products
like chocolate, fruit and vegetables, and dairy products. In just 10
years, the value of exports has increased by 135 per cent.
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Arseneau
‘The
message is: come and taste Quebec – it is very good’
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Quebec
agricultural minister Maxime Arseneau
says his primary role is to ensure the growth of the sector in a sustainable
way, although clearly the development of export business is vital. “We
have specific marketing plans for every area of production,” he
says.
He points out that Quebec has invested heavily in the development of
its food and agricultural sector, based on a commitment to quality and
safety. The province is spending millions of dollars over the next four
years to develop a traceability system that will monitor the food chain
“from the field to the table”.
Quebec is using British know-how in the sector to improve its capabilities.
This partnership includes working
with the team responsible for the cloning of Dolly the sheep.
Mr
Arseneau says Quebec has taken steps to speed development through advantageous
fiscal arrangements and he calls his administration “one of the
most generous governments in Canada” for the agricultural sector.
The industry is well organised. The Coopérative fédérée
de Quebec, an agri-food cooperative, is one of the largest concerns
in the province and an example of the serious commitment to sustainable
development of farming communities. Representing the interests of 37,000
members, it deals with three main areas: farming equipment, fuel distribution
and, on an international scale, distribution of poultry and pork products
through a subsidiary, Olymel, mainly to the US and Asia.
Mr Arseneau says the taste of Quebec is set to become a major asset.
He believes local food firms will be able to compete with the best –
in Canada, North America and the rest of the world.
“We have almost the same number of cheeses as France – around
300. The message is ‘taste Quebec’ – it’s very good.
It is the easy way for Europeans to come to North America.”