Follow Canada Investment Immigration and Canada's Economy: The federal government of Canada announced on the 22nd that it will invest funds to support the export of agricultural products from the western province of British Columbia to Asian markets, including China. According to the relevant agreement, the Canadian federal government will invest 4.3 million Canadian dollars (approximately 4.09 million US dollars) annually over the next five years to promote British Columbia's agricultural products in overseas markets, including participation in WorldWay fairs and funding trade missions.
Currently, British Columbia, with a population of only about 4.6 million, has an annual agricultural output value of 11 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 10.5 billion US dollars) and exports 2.5 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 2.38 billion US dollars) worth of agricultural products to more than 140 countries and regions each year.
Canadian Minister of National Revenue Kerry-Lynne Findlay stated that China is a "key market" for British Columbia's agricultural exports. According to provincial government data, British Columbia's agricultural exports to China have grown by an average of 20% annually. This summer, the Chinese and Canadian governments signed a pilot agreement allowing British Columbia to export fresh cherries to China. Next year, Canada will seek to reach a similar agreement with China to allow the export of British Columbia blueberries to mainland China.
Data shows that British Columbia is the world's largest blueberry producing region, with a total production of nearly 55 million kilograms in 2012. Debbie Etsell, Executive Director of the British Columbia Blueberry Council, stated that currently, British Columbia can export fresh and frozen blueberries to Hong Kong and mainland China respectively, but if fresh blueberries can be exported to the mainland, it will be crucial for the province's blueberry industry.
