The food processing industry accounts for about 4% of Canada's merchandise trade. Meat products were Canada's single largest food industry export. The Canadian beef market has suffered from the nearly four-month embargo, imposed in 2003. However, most of the major Canadian meat export markets were reopened by November 2003, and monthly meat exports have since stabilized. Seafood was the second largest food export product. Other exports of Canadian food products experienced one of the biggest export increases of 184% between 1995 and 2002.

Exports of Canadian food account for over 40 percent of Canada's gross domestic product. Many Canadian companies are involved in and assist to both exports of Canadian beverage and food products. Canadian Food Exporters Association, CFEA is a voluntary non-profit industry association founded in September 1996 to meet the need for a resource focused on the enhancement of export efforts in the food and beverage industry. The organization aims to accomplish a mission of increasing the profitable exports of Canadian food beverage products; increasing the number of small to medium-sized food and beverage manufacturers exporting; raising the international profile of Canadian food and beverage products.

By becoming a member of CFEA you will receive the following benefits: Seminars, Trade Shows, Advertising, Market Information and Communication. The organization provides a number of information services. Central information clearinghouse service is for timely intelligence, global marketplace information, export assistance, and trade show and trade mission opportunities. Information network service of key export contacts such as buyers, brokers, distributors, trade officers and logistics service providers. 

Member directory designed for distribution to both members and potential buyers, in print and on-line. The CFEA e-news service to keep the members informed on a weekly basis regarding market news and intelligence, industry trends and CFEA happenings.
The CFEA also provides marketing support.

Trade show coordination - the CFEA organizes participation in a variety of events in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.  As a member of CFEA you will benefit from reduced pricing on shipping, travel, and save staff time.  Trade mission development - the CFEA organizes both inbound and outbound trade missions of various types - appointment style, table-top demos, and in-store demos - to those markets in which the members tell us they have high interest.  Technical regulations - the CFEA provides assistance with regard to meeting technical regulations of all types in the various markets.

Label review program - the CFEA jointly with Food Beverage Canada (FBC) will be offering an in-house label service which will include the development of the U.S. and when approved Canadian nutritional panel; the verification of the label and for analysis needs the CFEA has developed relationships with labs with reduced rate services.

Working with experienced organizations like CFEA will help you increase the exports of Canadian food products worldwide.