Released on February 3, 2014
Bringing producers, industry, agri-businesses, trade officials and governments together to increase trade of Saskatchewan agriculture productsThe Government of Saskatchewan is hosting an agriculture trade summit on February 4 and 5, 2014, in Saskatoon with a focus on growing Saskatchewan’s agriculture exports.
“Saskatchewan is a well known leader in producing and exporting safe, high quality agriculture products and we want to build on that success to continue to grow our industry,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. “Agriculture is a vital part of our economy and it is important to bring together everyone involved in trade to discuss how we can increase our exports to benefit our entire province.”
The summit will help to accomplish the agriculture goals in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, including increasing agriculture exports by 50 per cent from $10 billion in 2011 to $15 billion in 2020.
The summit will have a number of sessions including Canadian Trade Missions Abroad – Opportunities for International Marketing; Trade Policies and Impact on Saskatchewan Agriculture; Best Practices for Exporting and Importing; and Creating an Environment for Export Excellence.
Panellists and speakers include Canadian ambassadors, international trade commissioners, international companies, agriculture industry leaders and senior government officials.
The goals for the Summit include increasing awareness of the opportunities and challenges for exporting Saskatchewan products; increasing understanding amongst international delegates of the products Saskatchewan has to offer; and improved collaboration between industry, exporters, governments and trade commissioners; all of which will lead to greater trade opportunities and increasing Saskatchewan’s agriculture exports throughout the world.
Agriculture accounts for more than one third of all Saskatchewan exports. Saskatchewan was the nation’s top agri-food exporter in 2012, exporting $11.2 billion in agriculture products, well on the way to reaching the goal of $15 billion by 2020. Saskatchewan agriculture products are sold around the globe, with the industry exporting more than $100 million worth to each of 18 countries. For more information on the Agriculture Trade Summit go to www.saskatchewan.ca/aginternationalbusiness.
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For more information, contact:
Angela Hall
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: angela.hall@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-0521