Worldway Immigration Economics: The 2nd Canada Seafood Festival officially opened in Qingdao on the evening of November 3rd, featuring dozens of Canadian seafood companies and industry associations. David Murphy, Commercial Minister at the Embassy of Canada to China, stated that since China became Canada's second-largest destination for seafood exports in 2014, many Canadian seafood companies have increasingly prioritized and entered the Chinese market, with a particular focus on e-commerce collaboration.
Mr. Murphy noted that 2015 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and China. The cooperation between the two nations is becoming increasingly close, covering various fields, including food, wine, energy, environment, art, and education. China is currently Canada's second-largest trading partner and its second-largest export market. In 2014, Canada's total exports to China reached 19.4 billion Canadian dollars, and the total bilateral trade volume was 78 billion Canadian dollars, an increase of 6.6% compared to 2013.
Mr. Murphy believes that with closer economic and trade exchanges, Canadian companies are placing greater value on China's vast market, particularly in Canada's distinctive seafood industry, with many companies having already established, or in the process of establishing, marketing networks. Since the strategic cooperation agreement was signed in June this year between the Canadian Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, represented by Deputy Minister Greg Lyon, and the prominent Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com, the Canadian government and enterprises—while continuing traditional marketing efforts—are placing significant focus on the e-commerce sector.
Lawrence Barry, Marketing Director of Clearwater Seafoods, stated that the company entered the Chinese market in 2013 primarily to meet orders for lobsters in the Chinese market. He believes that looking at lobster orders alone, the total export value in 2014 increased by more than 50% compared to 2013, which is why many Canadian companies value the Chinese market.
Lawrence Barry believes that Canada is a world leader in food safety, and that products such as lobsters, Arctic surf clams, Arctic shrimp, sea cucumbers, whelks, snow crabs, and yellowtail flounder are the most popular in the Chinese market. Currently, Canadian seafood, especially live seafood, is primarily only seen in China's eastern coastal regions. To further expand the market and enable the public in interior cities like Chongqing, Urumqi, and Shenyang to enjoy live seafood, Canadian companies are emphasizing the role of e-commerce. As China has surpassed the United States to become the world's largest e-commerce nation and possesses an excellent logistics system, this will provide significant room for development for Canadian seafood enterprises in China.
