A recent event at the Canadian High Commission in London was designed to alert UK retail and foodservice buyers to the attractions of Canadian food and drink products. Such products are little known in the UK not only because of the distances involved, but also because of the customs duties that have further elevated prices.
Removal of customs duties
However, it is worth noting that the Comprehensive and Economic Free Trade Agreement (CETA) is a negotiated EU-Canada treaty that is due to be implemented in Summer/Autumn 2016. Having been signed last year, the agreement will make business and exports between the UK and Canada easier as it will remove customs duties.
This will mean that there will be more opportunities for Canadian products to be exported to the UK, with a particular focus on agriculture and food and drink produce. Equally, there will be more opportunities for UK businesses interested in trading with, and in, Canada – and Canadian companies.
Opportunities for chefs to experience Canadian ingredients
Emma Finn, Trade Commissioner at The High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom comments:
“The future in the UK means a higher level of awareness and competitiveness for Canadian products, which will be achieved through the ground-breaking Canada-European free trade agreement (CETA) in 2016, that will virtually eliminate tariffs on many of Canada’s food and drink exports. This should lead to more chefs and operators experimenting with Canadian ingredients on their menus and in their cooking.
“Our plan to get more produce onto restaurant tables and shops in the UK involves working with young chefs, linking them up with Canadian producers to help them get to know our world-class products and how they are best put to use in their innovative kitchens. The availability and affordability of these high-end products in the UK, particularly Canadian red meat and seafood, is poised to improve dramatically thanks to the pending CETA.”
High quality – and unique – products
Canadian products will be entering the UK market at competitive prices, providing more opportunity not only to get them in front of chefs and buyers, but also raising awareness of the quality food and drink available from Canada.
Given the vibrant and dynamic restaurant scene in London and the UK, it is difficult to imagine that chefs will not be keen to try for themselves some of the products that are becoming available.
We list below just a small sample: from the truly unique Geoduck – the largest burrowing clam on earth – to the pleasures of Icewine, from maple syrup to the rich flavour of Black Cod, this produce will excite chefs and diners alike.
Geoduck from Canada
Geoduck from Canada is one of the most unique seafood delicacies in the world. Harvested from the cool, pristine waters of Canada’s Pacific coast in British Columbia, It is the largest burrowing clam on earth and one of the longest lived, prized for its delicious sweet, sea-fresh flavour and crunchy texture. Individually harvested by divers and managed with great pride and care, geoducks are one
of British Columbia’s most valuable and sustainable shellfish harvests. While treasured in its traditional markets of China and Hong Kong, Canadian geoduck has recently been introduced to European markets with enthusiastic response from seafood lovers looking for a new, sustainable seafood product to prepare innovative menu creations.
For more information about the Geoduck click here
For more information the UK distributor click here
Andrew Peller Limited
Andrew Peller Limited is Canada’s second largest wine group, with sales of $230 million. They own 8 wineries, 100 retail stores, an importing agency, two winery restaurants and some of the best performing wine brands in Canada. They are also the most experienced Canadian Icewine maker,
producing Icewine in every vintage since 1983. All wines can be purchased from UK distributor Enotria Wine Cellars and online.
For more information about Andrew Peller Limited click here
For more information about Andrew Peller Limited UK distributor click here
Cofradex
Based in Denmark, Cofradex Aps was founded by R.C. Vermont in 1973 to export the pick of the Canadian Food products. In partnership with Mic Mac Inc., the Canadian company responsible for the supply of the raw materials, they are able to provide maple syrup from Eastern Canada and authentic Canadian Lake Wild Rice from the Lake District of Saskatchewan. Cofradex is responsible for bottling
and distribution of the syrup as well as the packaging of the wild rice for retail and Horeca.
Email us sales@cofradex.com
Golden Eagle Sable Fish
Highly valued in Europe and the USA for its large velvety flakes and extraordinarily buttery, rich flavour. fresh Black Cod is also prized in Japan for Sashimi applications. Golden Eagle Sable Fish is the only company in the world producing closed lifecycle fresh Black Cod, offering a superior quality fish and ensuring no further impact on the Black Cod wild stock in the Pacific Ocean. Grown in the beautiful Kyuquot Sound just West of Vancouver, it is also now available 52 weeks per year thanks to Golden Eagle’s world-first aquaculture project. In comparison to wild catch Black Cod, Golden Eagle’s farmed fish give a higher yield, have superior meat colour and conditioning, no parasites, have even higher in Omega 3’s, and are sashimi grade quality.
For more information click here
The High Commission of Canada to the UK
The High Commission will help you source the very best in food and beverage products from
Canada. Their expert commercial team is more than pleased to put UK chefs and buyers in touch with Canadian suppliers of unique, innovative and high quality products that will meet their most demanding requirements.
For more information, contact Emma Finn emma.finn@international.gc.ca