March 12, 2007
Canada exports US$4.1 billion worth of seafood in 2006
Canada's fish and seafood exports, including farmed products, totalled US$4.1 billion in 2006, Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced last week.
Hearn said Canada's export statistics illustrate that there is a demand around the world for Canadian fish and seafood.
The US remains Canada's largest export destination, accounting for 62 percent of its total fish and seafood exports (US$2.5 billion). Japan ranked second (US$342 million), followed by China (US$276 million), Denmark (US$125 million), and the United Kingdom (US$111 million).
Lobster, farmed Atlantic salmon, shrimp and snow crab accounted for US$2.4 billion or more than half of the country's seafood exports.
Lobster exports were valued at over US$1 billion, followed by Atlantic salmon (US$512 million), shrimp (US$456 million) and snow crab (US$426 million).
Volumes were higher this year for all four species.
The average price for lobster and Atlantic salmon exports increased between 2005 and 2006, while the period saw lower prices for shrimp and snow crab. Other major exports for the year included herring, scallops and hake.
British Columbia was the largest exporting province at US$987 million, with its top-valued products - farmed Atlantic salmon, herring and hake - accounting for US$433 million.
This was followed by Nova Scotia at US$974 million, with its top-valued products -lobster, shrimp and scallops accounting for US$589 million.
Newfoundland ranked third, with exports worth US$798.2 million - shrimp, snow crab and mackerel being its highest-selling products. New Brunswick ranked fourth at US$795 million, while Quebec was ranked fifth at US$203 million.
These international trade figures were released in advance of the International Boston Seafood Show, which is taking place March 11-13, 2007.
The event would provide an excellent market to promote Canada's high-quality fish and seafood to an international audience, said Hearn.
