Representatives from two Shanghai-based seafood import and distribution companies are currently visiting Prince Edward Island to discuss potential purchases of lobster products. Jinhai Ge of Jinhai Corporation and Michael Tan of Pan Fish Limited are meeting with the Acadian Fishermen’s Co-op, Royal Star Foods, Minigoo Fisheries and Ocean Choice International during their three-day visit to the province which began on Sunday. They will also be meeting with representatives of the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association and the Seafood Processors Association.
“This buyer’s mission provides us with ideal opportunity to showcase the quality, value and range of our lobster and other seafood products,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair. “The buyers were very impressed with what they saw, and I look forward to further discussions to explore market opportunities in China.”
The visit is being coordinated by the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development in conjunction with Innovation PEI. It is part of an ongoing initiative in partnership with the New Brunswick government and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to develop markets for lobster products in China. The visit is a direct result of a market development mission in Shanghai last fall attended by government and industry representatives from Prince Edward Island.
China represents a major export market opportunity for Prince Edward Island lobsters. Total exports to that country are now more than half a million dollars annually. The province also exports lobster products to Japan and South Korea.
“This is part of our ongoing efforts to expand markets for Prince Edward Island lobsters in the regional, national and international markets,” said Minister LeClair. “Our goal is to ensure that lobster is the premium seafood of choice in the marketplace.”