Blueberries

The Government of Canada has announced in a press release a contribution of up to C$45,560 (US$44,591) to the British Columbia Blueberry Council (BCBC) to help growers market their products in key international markets.

The BCBC, which represents over 650 highbush blueberry producers and is responsible for 93 per cent of Canada’s highbush blueberry production, will undertake international market development and promotion activities.

This year, the Council will target China, Hong Kong, Japan, France and Mexico in particular.

“Canadian blueberries are gaining international recognition and respect for their tremendous health benefits and dedication of our growers,” said Member of Parliament Ed Fast (Abbotsford, BC).

“Our Government understands the importance of our farmers and we're going to continue to make smart investments, like these, so that international markets grow, exports increase and the industry succeeds.”

The investment will support the BCBC’s long-term international strategy by funding activities such as international market research, missions to targeted international trade shows and the development of information packages to be used for market promotion.

“The AgriMarketing investment will enable the British Columbia Blueberry Industry to create a long term international strategy, which will guide us through to 2015,” said Debbie Etsell, Executive Director of the BC Blueberry Council.

“The activities conducted in international markets to date have resulted in an increase in interest and sales which we could not have been effectively realised without this funding.”


The mission of the BCBC is to enhance the viability and strategic development of the blueberry industry for the benefit of the growers through promotion, research, industry education and relationship building.

Canada is the second-largest producer of cultivated blueberries in the world and produced close to 80m lbs of the fruit in 2008.

This investment is provided through the AgriMarketing Program, which helps national producer and processor associations to increase exports of safe, premium Canadian products around the world.

The programme helps implement long-term international strategies, which include activities such as the expansion of international markets, consumer education and brand promotion.