Canada holds 'great potential' as emerging market for British meat

Canada is currently the sixth largest importer of British food products
Canada is currently the sixth largest importer of British food products

Canada holds "great potential" and is "incredibly important" as an emerging market for British meat post-Brexit.

Currently the sixth largest importer of British food, Canada offers significant potential for British meat sales growth in the coming years.

A major international food and drink show in Canada will showcase British red meat and dairy products this week.

Levy-funded AHDB is exhibiting at SIAL Canada alongside Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) to showcase premium farm produce from Britain.

SIAL is now the only event of its scale in Canada, with almost 1,000 national and international exhibitors from 50 countries, hosting more than 18,000 visitors.

Throughout the three-day event in Montreal, the British meat levy bodies will showcase high quality pork and lamb. AHDB Dairy will also be exhibiting premium cheese alongside nine producers from Britain.

AHDB Senior Export Manager Susana Morris said the show provides the perfect opportunity to exhibit British products on a global stage.

“This is an incredibly important market for us,” she added. “Canada is the sixth largest importer of food products. It is vital that we look at new markets and opportunities to ensure that British meat and dairy products are front of mind for importers.”

'Genuine appetite'

According to Welsh meat body HCC, Canada is an emerging market for Welsh red meat and holds great potential.

Deanna Jones, Export Development Executive for HCC said: “We’re seeing increasing interest in PGI Welsh Lamb in particular, in many parts of the country, from retailers and restaurant suppliers who are looking for high quality meat.

“Attending the SIAL Montreal show in collaboration with AHDB and QMS will allow us to build on connections between Welsh processors, food importers, retailers and foodservice distributors, and continue to grow this market.”

Laurent Vernet, Director of Strategic Engagement with QMS, is also attending the show and said that the market in Canada offers significant potential for British meat sales growth in the coming years.

Ms Vernet said: “Canadian consumers have a genuine appetite for quality natural lamb produced with traditional grass fed and extensive methods. SIAL Canada is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet with buyers, reinforce the key messaging and secure trade for our exceptional brands with a specific focus on Scotch Lamb PGI.

“We will also use the opportunity of this trade exhibition in Montreal - known as the food capital of Canada - to showcase our lamb to key Canadian food opinion leaders.”

Earlier this year, approval was given to export beef from the UK to the Canadian market after approval was given by inspectors.