PEI

China Fisheries and Seafood Expo brings 'great potential'

A group of P.E.I. food production companies is back from China with hopes of grabbing a piece of the world's largest market.

Island companies back from trade mission

Lobsters are P.E.I.'s biggest export to China, but Raspberry Point would like to make oysters a contender. (Raspberry Point Oysters)

A group of P.E.I. food production companies is back from China with hopes of grabbing a piece of the world's largest  market.

Seafood companies participated in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo. There were also meetings with two food retail chains: BHG Market Place and China Resources Vanguard.

"China is a place of endless potential for the growth of our exports," said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Alan McIsaac in a news release.

10th largest trading partner

Businesses on the trade mission included Raspberry Point Oysters, Atlantic Aqua Farms, Appin Cross Fine Foods Ltd., DI Jenkins and Associates, and Universal Sunshine Enterprise.

"The response from these potential customers was great," said James Power, manager of Raspberry Point Oysters.

"We feel there are great potential sales with companies we met there."

China is Prince Edward Island's 10th largest trading partner, says the province, with an overall trade value of more than $15 million a year. Lobster remains the province's leading export to China.