Canada’s biggest seafood export increase overall was to the US, which saw an eight per cent (C$217 million) increase over the previous year, followed closely by the European Union with an 8.3 per cent (C$28.6 million) export growth. Canada and the European Union last year agreed on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which has been widely welcomed as a major boon for the industry.
The Government of Canada also announced on March 11, that Canada and the Republic of Korea have concluded negotiations for a Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The agreement will significantly boost trade between the two countries, eliminating all South Korea’s average tariff of 16.5 per cent in this sector, which includes tariff peaks as high as 47 per cent, on fish and seafood products.
Minister Shea is currently leading the Canadian delegation at North America’s largest seafood trade event, Seafood Expo North America on March 16 to 18, where she promoted Canada’s role in ensuring very well regulated and sustainable seafood.
