On August 31st, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) hosted 23 embassies and 11 industry representatives at a luncheon event in Ottawa. Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Agricultural Minister-Counselors received valuable foundational information on how their vendors can ensure they are “export ready” and to encourage country delegation participation in CPMA’s upcoming Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.
Participants were impressed with the breadth of information provided and affirmed that events such as these are essential to continue engagement with the embassies and their commercial trade offices to facilitate the smooth export and import of fresh fruit and vegetables. This included understanding the seasonality of Canadian production so that international exporters understand when there are gaps in availability that they can fill.
Industry participants were pleased with the chance to discuss potential trade opportunities with the countries represented, and expressed interest in participating in future events.
Sam Silvestro, Walmart Canada & CPMA Chair, Fred Webber, DRC President & CEO, and Tanya Sefolo, Minister Plenipotentiary, South African High Commission.
