Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Destination China – New Export Market Opens Up For Fresh B.C. Blueberries

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 04 Jul, 2016 01:21 PM
    British Columbia’s fresh blueberries are known as small wonders and now they are being welcomed in a big market.
     
    This is the first full season that B.C. blueberries are being shipped to China. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick visited Blueridge Produce in Langley today as workers are busy packaging fresh blueberries for the journey to China.
     
    Last summer, a small amount of fresh blueberries were sent to the country to ensure that the packing-and-shipping process met all the requirements in the agreement between the governments of Canada and China.
     
    The test run was a success. Now British Columbia will increase the amount of fresh blueberry shipments to China this season and B.C. blueberry growers could be looking at the potential of up to $65 million in exports a year, once the agreement is fully implemented.  
     
     
    British Columbia is one of the largest highbush blueberry-growing regions in the world, producing about 96% of the Canadian production of cultivated blueberries.
     
    In 2015, B.C. farmers harvested about 70,000 tonnes of blueberries, an increase of 7%. Exports of B.C.’s blueberries accounted for $218 million, up more than 29% from 2014.
     
    The British Columbia government is focused on increasing agrifoods exports to other countries and building the overall B.C. agrifoods sector to a $15-billion-a-year industry by 2020. Building markets is one of the key priorities in the BC Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan.
     
    The effort is being supported by a network of 13 international trade offices, B.C. trade missions and the development of direct-cargo flights out of YVR.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Pride Marchers In Steinbach, Man., Get Permission To Walk On Street

    Pride Marchers In Steinbach, Man., Get Permission To Walk On Street
    STEINBACH, Man. — Organizers of the first pride march in the heart of Manitoba's so-called Bible Belt say they have won the right to walk on the city's streets.

    Pride Marchers In Steinbach, Man., Get Permission To Walk On Street

    Canadian Navy Rescues Defunct, Unmanned Solar-Powered Kayak Off Newfoundland

    Canadian Navy Rescues Defunct, Unmanned Solar-Powered Kayak Off Newfoundland
    The Solar Voyager set off from Gloucester, Mass., on June 1 in a bid to become the first autonomous boat to make the transatlantic voyage.

    Canadian Navy Rescues Defunct, Unmanned Solar-Powered Kayak Off Newfoundland

    Fishery Closures Suggested In Federal Proposals To Save West Coast Killer Whales

      The recovery plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale population has been set out online by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with a 60-day public comment period.

    Fishery Closures Suggested In Federal Proposals To Save West Coast Killer Whales

    Judge Considers Future Of Victoria Courthouse Homeless Encampment

    Judge Considers Future Of Victoria Courthouse Homeless Encampment
    VICTORIA — A B.C. Supreme Court judge has reserved his decision on the fate of a homeless camp on the grounds of the Victoria courthouse.

    Judge Considers Future Of Victoria Courthouse Homeless Encampment

    Health Canada Bans Sale, Import, Advertisement Of Drop-side Cribs

    OTTAWA — The federal government is banning the sale of drop-side cribs.

    Health Canada Bans Sale, Import, Advertisement Of Drop-side Cribs

    Training For Midwifery Students Dropped At University Of Manitoba

    Training For Midwifery Students Dropped At University Of Manitoba
    The 14 students say the move is costing them time, money and their dream careers, and comes at a time when there is a greater need than ever for midwives.

    Training For Midwifery Students Dropped At University Of Manitoba