Agri-Food Trade Service

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This Web site was created 15 years ago as a source of market information and export support activities for Canadian companies. As the web evolves and our interaction with clients intensifies we've decided to take a more active approach in keeping you informed with what we've published recently and to give a sneak peak at what you can look forward to in the coming months in the hopes of giving you a reason to come back and get more involved with our projects.

Agriculture trade commissioners at your service

November 16, 2010

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Canada's trade commissioners—numbering just under 1,200—are stationed around the world and are a valuable resource for Canadian exporters. And did you know that about 175 of them specialize in agriculture and food? Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Agriculture and Food Trade Commissioner Service (AFTCS) recently published a directory listing the names and coordinates of these commissioners and other staff. It is available on-line: www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/exp/5607-eng.htm.

"Developing and maintaining an ongoing relationship with a trade commissioner can really make a big difference in the success of a company already exporting, just about to export and even thinking about exporting," says AFTCS director Bruce Howard.

Howard said trade commissioners are an excellent source of competitive intelligence. "They know the local market conditions, culture, customs and regulatory requirements. They also have lists of qualified importers, buyers and other government officials. They can provide practical advice on market entry or strategic advice on long-term business viability."

Measuring the value of trade commissioners' work can be difficult. But you can get a taste of some success stories in another recently published work called: Success Abroad: www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/exp/5610-eng.htm.

In fact, AAFC has a wealth of market intelligence developed for Canadian exporters. The Agri-Food Trade Service (ATS) website provides news and analysis, trade statistics, marketing information, exporting requirements and more: www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca.

Other sources of international trade information can be found at:

Not sure where to start? AAFC also employs regional marketing and trade officers who will help a company to decide on a target market, get the right market intelligence, and develop a sound international trade strategy. Find your AAFC regional representative: www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/reg/reg-eng.htm

For more information, contact:

Bruce Howard
Director
Agriculture and Food Trade Commissioner Service
bruce.howard@agr.gc.ca



Comments

Emmy // 1-July-11
"People like you get all the brains. I just get to say thanks for the answer."




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