One of Canada's most important export crops will soon be heading to the Chinese market, following a recently announced deal estimated to be worth CAD$65 million (US$52.5 million) a year. 

Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast said yesterday the Asian market was now open to British Colombia blueberry shippers, after eight years of negotiations.

Chinese inspectors will visit the Canadian province this summer to carry out pre-inspections before the first shipments set off.

“Shortly after I was appointed Canada’s minister of international trade in 2011, I mentioned to our local media that my focus would be on opening up new markets for Canadian businesses, including opening up the Chinese market for B.C. blueberries,” Fast told website Ipolitics.ca.

“We all know how important blueberries are for our local economy. British Columbia is one of the largest highbush blueberry-growing regions in the world.

"Currently, there are more than 800 blueberry growers across the province who produce about 120 million pounds  of blueberries every year. In fact, blueberries are Canada’s largest fruit export in terms of value and volume.”

The publication reported that in 2013, Canadian blueberries accounted for CAD$188 million (US$152 million) in 'farm gate value'.

B.C. Blueberry Council executive director Debbie Etsell told Ipolitics.ca she was 'ecstatic' about the deal.

“I think it’s just a real day of celebration for B.C. blueberry growers,” she was quoted as saying.

Local media Cbc.ca reported the deal was expected to be finalized this fall, and that the government was now setting its sights on other markets like India and Southeast Asia.

"These are rapidly growing economies," Fast told the publication, referring to Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

"I was just in Philippines, and they are very interested in opening up their market to our products, especially blueberries."

In a release sent out in May this year, the B.C. Blueberry Council was progress was also being made toward gaining fresh market access to the South Korean market, with Korean inspectors arriving in Vancouver in early July.

Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons

www.freshfruitportal.com