Ontario is creating a new Beijing-based agri-food trade advisor position with a goal of further expanding Ontario’s agri-food sector reach into the Chinese market. The new in-market trade advisor will be a seasoned food industry professional with business experience in global markets, says the Ontario government. Funding for the position is through Growing Foward 2.
Currently, Ontario has two agri-food in-market trade advisors in the United States, covering the North East and Central US.
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The announcement was made during the 2015 Ontario Agri-Food Trade Mission to China, happening this week, where Ministers Jeff Leal and Michael Chan are working to connect Ontario exporters with Chinese buyers, sales brokers, distributors, agents and importers.
The new agri-food in-market trade advisor, to be in place by June 1, 2015, will open up even more opportunity for Ontario producers in the Chinese market by providing them with strategic advice and guidance, according to the Ontario government.
Ontario also has two International Marketing Centres in China to promote the province’s investment and business opportunities. The Shanghai office opened in 2002 and the Beijing office opened in 2007. The Chongqing office opened this year.
China is currently Ontario’s second-largest agri-food export market. In 2014, Ontario’s total agri-food sales to China, including exports to Hong Kong, reached $832 million.
