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From salmon and game to premium wines,
nutraceuticals and organics, British Columbia’s agri-food
sector is a world leader in product innovation and quality
assurance. Strict production and inspection regulations
ensure the highest standards of food safety.
The province’s fertile agricultural land
base, diverse bio-climatic conditions, and superb marine
environment support production of over 200 types of
agricultural products and more than 80 species of fish and
shellfish. More than 1,000 firms in agri-food and fish
processing employed 31,500 people in 2005, with a further
37,800 engaged in primary agriculture.
Agri-food exports – including seafood –
were worth $2.41 billion in 2005. Sixty six per cent of these exports were shipped
to the US. The top exports are farmed salmon, vegetables
(including high-value greenhouse produce), fruits and
berries, shellfish, wild salmon, groundfish, cereal
preparation, beverages, floriculture and nursery products.
With close proximity to US and Asian
markets, and a competitive cost-structure, there are
excellent opportunities for growth in a number of industry
segments:
- Seafood products – farmed fish and shellfish,
underutilized commercial fisheries species, and
value-added seafood products for domestic and
international markets
- Specialty produce – greenhouse and organic
vegetables
- Prepared foods – vegetarian and meat-substitute
products, Asian specialties, fresh and frozen
pre-packaged meals, confectionery and baked products
- Bioproducts – functional foods, nutraceuticals,
herbal products and alternative fuels
- Beverages - cool-climate premium wines, spring
water, mineral water
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