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Photo Credit: BC Blueberry Council
The federal government has announced an investment of over $117,000 to the British Columbia Blueberry Council to help local growers.
The investment from the AgriMarketing Program is intended to help the Council boost its international presence by strengthening relationships with importers of high bush blueberries through trade missions and trade shows. The British Columbia Blueberry Council represents over 800 high-bush blueberry producers and is responsible for 96 per cent of Canada's total high-bush blueberry production.
Bilateral Meetings with China (Photo Credit: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
"Our government continues to support what matters most to Canadians-job creation, prosperity and the economy,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This project will help blueberry producers stay ahead of the competition by forging strong relationships with buyers from around the world and increasing demand for our top-quality blueberries."
British Columbia is the number one producer and exporter of high-bush blueberries in Canada and the third-largest in the world. In 2013, Canada exported $163 million worth of fresh and frozen high-bush blueberries to 20 different countries and British Columbia accounted for 92 per cent of Canada's total high-bush blueberry exports.
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