Va. oysters and clams to be served in Canada regularly

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Nov. 12 new exports of Virginia seafood to Canada as a result of his recent trade and tourism mission to the country. 

The trade deals represent significant new revenue streams for Rappahannock River Oyster Company (Rappahannock) into the important Canadian market, the second largest export market for Virginia’s agricultural and forestry industries, which include seafood and aquaculture products.

“Growing exports to Canada, which has been a longtime top trade partner with Virginia, and elsewhere, provides more revenue and job creation opportunities for Virginia’s producers and agribusinesses,” McAuliffe was quoted as saying in a news release.

In advance of the September mission, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) international marketing staff, working in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) and each of their Canada-based representatives, established relationships with Canadian importers in hopes of achieving new sales from Virginia. 

During the mission, Governor McAuliffe, along with Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Todd Haymore and VDACS and VTC staff, met with the importers to promote a variety of Virginia agricultural products.

Rappahannock participated in several meetings with seafood importers during the trade mission, including one with Lagoon Seafood of Lachine, Quebec.  In the weeks following, Rappahannock negotiated with Lagoon and is now making weekly shipments of Virginia clams and oysters to the importer. 

Rappahannock also secured a deal with SeaCore, a Toronto-based seafood importer, to regularly supply the company with Virginia oysters. SeaCore delivers oysters and other seafood to retail chains and restaurants in the greater Toronto area. Sales figures are confidential.

Said Secretary Haymore in the news release, “With more than 80 percent of the world’s consumer base living outside of the United States and every $1 in exports from Virginia generating approximately $1.30 within the state, it is clear why growing exports is key to the Governor’s work to build a new Virginia economy.”