With Canadian pulse exports nearing $3.4 billion in 2017, supporting the continued growth of this sector is vital to achieving the Government of Canada's trade target of growing agriculture and food exports to $75 billion by 2025.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay at a meeting with Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, announced an investment of over $575,000 to Pulse Canada for food service market research and development projects that will benefit farmers and processors.
Under the Growing Forward 2, AgriMarketing Program, Pulse Canada will receive $178,500 to explore new markets for pulses and pulse ingredients in China, Eastern Asia, the United States and Canada. An additional investment of $221,680 under the same program will go towards a project that focuses on promoting pulses to the Canadian foodservice industry
An investment of $175,721 was also provided to Pulse Canada through the Growing Forward 2, AgriInnovation Program, towards pulse innovation in the Chinese market. This project will help the industry expand the use of pulses in a wide range of Chinese foods and investigate the health benefits of eating pulse snacks.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food said,"Trade is vital for our agricultural industry and Canadian pulses are an integral part of Canada's export strategy. Thanks to organizations like Pulse Canada, we are a world leader in pulse exports. Government investments like these help build prosperity for our sector, which helps strengthen our economy and creates good middle class jobs for Canadians."
Lee Moats, Chair, Pulse Canada Board of Directors said, "Collaboration between the Government of Canada and Pulse Canada will help the pulse industry address our challenges and capture the opportunities that pulses offer to farmers and consumers worldwide."
Source: https://www.canada.ca
