DFO: Another Record Year for Canada's Fish and Seafood Exports.

Business Editors

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2002

The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that preliminary figures for Canada's exports of fish and seafood products reached an all-time high of $4.2 billion (Cdn) in 2001.

"For the past four years, we have had record-breaking growth in our fish and seafood exports. This year our exports reached a record $4.2 billion," said Minister Thibault. "This is a clear reflection of the quality of our products, and the industry's success in capturing markets worldwide. It also reflects responsible industry practices, which contribute to the climate for success year after year."

Canada is one of the largest exporters of fish and seafood products in the world, with exports to more than 90 countries. In 2001, it exported 547,900 tonnes of these products.

Exports to the United States, our largest trading partner, rose to $3.1 billion from $2.9 billion the previous year, an increase of 5.7 per cent. Exports to the European Union and other European countries also increased by 16.6 per cent, going from $352 million to $410 million.

Canadian products also enjoyed higher access to Central and South American countries, with exports reaching $44 million, an increase of 23 per cent from 2000 levels; while exports to Japan saw a decrease of approximately 20 per cent. Japan, however, still remains Canada's top overseas destination for fish products, accounting for almost 10 per cent of all exports. This is followed by the People's Republic of China at 2.7 per cent.

Much of the growth in Canadian fish and seafood exports is due to a higher demand for farmed Atlantic salmon, which experienced an increase of 65 per cent in value in 2001, rising to $556.6 million from $336.9 in 2000. Farmed Atlantic salmon amounted to 13.2 per cent of total exports in 2001.

Nova Scotia was the leading fish and seafood exporter, with exports exceeding $1.1 billion. This was followed by British Columbia, with exports of $974 million; New Brunswick, with exports of $883 million; Newfoundland and Labrador, with $677 million; Quebec with $152 million; and Prince Edward Island with $195 million. The remaining $200 million in exports came from the other provinces.

More detailed information is available on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Statistics website, which can be accessed through our homepage at: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca, select Statistics from the banner.