Prince Edward Island will be hosting an official visit of the Minister of Agriculture and Supply from Brazil this coming Sunday and Monday. The minister, Francisco Sergio Turra, will be accompanied by a delegation of about 20 Brazilian government and industry representatives.
"The purpose of the visit is to discuss improving trade and business relations between Prince Edward Island and Brazil," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill. "There is an excellent potential for us to increase exports of agriculture products and services to that country, particularly in the areas of potatoes, swine and aquaculture."
Last year, Mr. Hammill took part in a Team Canada trade mission to several countries in Latin and South America, including Brazil. He said he was very impressed with the economic gains in that country and the potential of increased trade.
While in the province, the delegation will visit the Centre for Animal and Plant Health for a presentation on the Canadian potato inspection and certification systems and disease testing. It will tour potato fields at the farm of Irwin and Edwin Jewell in York, and proceed to Atlantic Fish Specialities which manufactures smoked fish products for shipment to international markets. The delegation will complete its visit at the Atlantic Veterinary College to discuss college programs, especially its work in swine genetics and fish health. The visit begins with a reception and dinner hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry on Sunday evening.
"The opportunity to meet and discuss the potential for increasing potato exports to Brazil is very encouraging for the industry in this province," said Robert MacDonald, Chair of the Potato Board. "We already have good markets in a number of South American countries, including Brazil, and we want to build on that." He said Prince Edward Island exported approximately 1900 tonnes of seed potatoes to Brazil last year.
Brazil produces more than 2.5 million tonnes of potatoes annually and is the world's largest swine producer with 33.1 million head.