International Trade
3.1 Exports
Canadian exports of seafood products increased to $4.1 billion in 2012, up 1% from 2011 (Table 3.1). Canada's main exports in 2012 consisted of fresh and frozen shellfish valued at $2.5 billion, whole dressed or fresh sea fish valued at $619.8 million, whole, dressed or frozen sea fish valued at $228.8 million. The most valuable species were lobster, snow crab, farmed salmon and shrimp, with combined export values of 62% in 2012.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Species | thousands of dollars | ||||
| Groundfish | |||||
| Hake | 91,291 | 62,209 | 62,395 | $69,918 | $71,835 |
| Greenland Turbot | 39,657 | 45,066 | 47,499 | $56,050 | $60,991 |
| Halibut | 53,662 | 46,837 | 50,897 | $55,278 | $59,497 |
| Cod | 80,953 | 67,006 | 57,076 | $49,593 | $42,065 |
| Other | 124,779 | 129,004 | 117,326 | $102,413 | $95,439 |
| Sub-total | $390,342 | $350,122 | $335,194 | $333,252 | $329,827 |
| Pelagic Fish | |||||
| Salmon, farmed | 529,752 | 523,834 | 544,031 | $507,977 | $524,786 |
| Herring, Sardines | 179,648 | 193,576 | 177,444 | $161,928 | $160,617 |
| Salmon, wild | 84,565 | 78,220 | 155,074 | $107,687 | $117,094 |
| Eel | 5,195 | 6,127 | 6,342 | $24,003 | $39,381 |
| Tuna | $26,979 | $17,577 | $31,730 | 26,105 | $24,146 |
| Other | $115,061 | $85,559 | $78,941 | $62,751 | $45,913 |
| Sub-total | $941,200 | $904,893 | $993,562 | $890,451 | $911,937 |
| Shellfish | |||||
| Lobster | $924,183 | $805,265 | $946,880 | $1,028,233 | $1,088,217 |
| Crab, snow | $518,895 | $502,063 | $463,052 | $613,449 | $550,672 |
| Shrimp | $360,228 | $336,484 | $371,736 | $394,071 | $386,223 |
| Crab, other | $124,039 | $109,226 | $125,500 | $125,953 | $205,751 |
| Clams | $83,644 | $90,859 | $107,153 | $98,240 | $109,329 |
| Scallop | $104,892 | $95,070 | $95,724 | $112,958 | $108,042 |
| Other | $86,144 | $89,839 | $94,011 | $119,044 | $135,947 |
| Sub-total | $2,202,025 | $2,028,806 | $2,204,055 | $2,491,948 | $2,584,179 |
| Other marine species | $232,046 | $225,659 | $221,559 | $232,069 | $208,189 |
| Freshwater Fish | |||||
| Perch | $17,883 | $37,400 | $63,464 | $60,429 | $41,111 |
| Whitefish | $16,953 | $17,662 | $18,964 | $21,356 | $20,354 |
| Pickerel | $37,632 | $23,108 | $15,069 | $11,236 | $13,876 |
| Other Freshwater Fish | $9,710 | $12,400 | $11,862 | $11,088 | $13,852 |
| Other | $36,374 | $36,027 | $38,434 | $45,470 | $28,288 |
| Sub-total | $118,552 | $126,598 | $147,793 | $149,579 | $117,481 |
| Total | $3,884,166 | $3,636,078 | $3,902,163 | $4,097,299 | $4,151,613 |
Source: Statistics Canada, International Trade Division, Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database
Certain species saw export gains in terms of value, including, clams, Greenland turbot, lobster, and farmed salmon. Exports of clams were valued at $109.3 million in 2012, an increase of $11.1 million (+11%) from 2011. Exports of Greenland turbot increased by $4.9 million (+9%) and lobster exports increased by $58.7 million (+6%). Farmed salmon made up the majority of salmon exports in Canada, increasing by $41.2 million (+8%) to $524.8 million in 2012. Exports of hake also increased in 2012, up $1.9 million (+3%) from 2011.
Cod and haddock exports continue to decline in 2012. In 2012, cod and haddock exports were valued at $57.4 million, nearly half what it was worth in 2008. Herring, mackerel and sardines decreased by $16.0 million (-9%), and tuna decreased by $2.0 million (-8%). Snow crab exports decreased by $62.8 million (-10%) to $550.7 million between 2011 and 2012.
In 2012, freshwater fish exports amounted to $117.5 million, its lowest export level in 5 years. A major contributor to the decline was a significant drop in the exports of perch as exports of this species returned to historical levels from an exceptional year in 2011. Despite overall losses in freshwater fish exports, however, gains were observed in pickerel exports, up $2.6 million (+23%) from 2011.
New Brunswick was the largest exporter of fish and seafood products in 2012, with exports of $967.7 million (Table 3.2). Nova Scotia followed with exports of over $917.6 million. These two provinces accounted for 45% of all fish and seafood exports in 2012 and have both experienced significant increases since 2010. In previous years, British Columbia led Canadian provinces and territories in fish and seafood exports but in 2012, seafood exports in the province fell by 4% to $871.5 million resulting in a drop in ranking. Newfoundland and Labrador followed with exports of $774.0 million, down 11% from 2011. Fish and Seafood exports from Quebec decreased slightly to $265.7 million in 2012. Meanwhile exports of fish and seafood from Prince Edward Island increased to $197.5 million in 2012, up 15% from 2011. All other provinces and territories experienced relatively small growth in fish and seafood exports in 2012.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Province | Thousands of dollars | ||||
| New Brunswick | 756,678 | 695,503 | 783,396 | $833,477 | $967,695 |
| Nova Scotia | 843,397 | 809,664 | 794,149 | $902,194 | $917,615 |
| British Columbia | $910,965 | $882,760 | $957,257 | $911,526 | $872,187 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $811,175 | $720,503 | 780,208 | $860,251 | $774,059 |
| Quebec | 230,669 | 239,767 | 245,794 | $264,901 | $265,704 |
| Prince Edward Island | 200,775 | 151,596 | 188,081 | $172,101 | $197,545 |
| Other1 | 130,507 | 136,285 | 153,278 | $152,849 | $156,808 |
| Canada | 3,884,166 | 3,636,078 | 3,902,163 | $4,097,299 | $4,151,613 |
1Includes Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut.
Source: Statistics Canada, International Trade Division, Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database
The United States remains Canada's main export market for fish and seafood, representing 62% of Canadian exports. Exports to other countries such as China and Japan accounted for 11% and 6%, respectively. In 2012, the European Union, consisting of 27 member nations, accounted for 8% of Canada's exports (Table 3.3).
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| thousands of dollars | |||||
| United States | 2,439,559 | 2,333,182 | 2,440,629 | $2,533,156 | $2,552,249 |
| China | 258,684 | 217,958 | 282,609 | $355,455 | $443,121 |
| European Union | $488,516 | $416,496 | $401,747 | $397,052 | $343,651 |
| Japan | 294,497 | 263,728 | 301,017 | $252,078 | $259,934 |
| Sub-Total | 3,481,256 | 3,231,363 | 3,426,002 | $3,537,740 | $3,598,956 |
| Total Exports | 3,884,166 | 3,636,078 | 3,902,163 | $4,097,299 | $4,151,613 |
Source: Statistics Canada, International Trade Division, Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database
Canadian exports to the United States comprised mainly of lobster, salmon, and snow crab. Major Canadian species exported to China included crab, shrimp, lobster and Greenland turbot, accounting for over 75% of exports to China. Main exports to the European market in 2012 were sockeye, pink, and chum salmon from British Columbia and shrimp, lobster and scallops from the Atlantic Provinces. Exports to Japan comprised mainly of snow crab, herring, lobster, shrimp, crab, sablefish, clam, and sea urchin, and accounted for almost 80% of the value of all exports to that country.
3.2 Imports
Canadian imports of fish and seafood products were $2.8 billion in 2012, an increase of $76.0 million (+3%) from 2011 (Table 3.4). The main imported species were shrimp, farmed salmon, lobster, tuna and wild salmon as well as ground fish species such as cod and haddock. Combined, these species represented 52% of Canadian fish imports in 2012.
| 2,008 | 2,009 | 2,010 | 2,011 | 2,012 | |
| Species | thousands of dollars | ||||
| Groundfish | |||||
| Cod | 59,295 | 54,579 | $57,168 | $64,690 | $63,858 |
| Halibut | 87,765 | 94,895 | $102,985 | $97,341 | $52,986 |
| Haddock | $27,143 | $30,964 | $34,814 | $37,027 | $45,578 |
| Other Groundfish | 2,220 | 2,102 | $1,565 | $2,234 | $41,860 |
| Sole | 30,951 | 32,734 | $28,020 | $31,060 | $30,490 |
| Other | 55,910 | 60,118 | $48,741 | $51,751 | $68,508 |
| Sub-Total | $263,283 | $275,391 | $273,292 | $284,104 | $303,280 |
| Pelagic Fish | |||||
| Salmon, wild | 194,864 | 230,617 | $196,049 | $236,853 | $348,375 |
| Tuna | 172,137 | 169,766 | $160,976 | $177,134 | $209,969 |
| Salmon, farmed | 56,463 | 49,805 | $71,195 | $29,900 | $55,443 |
| Herring, Mackerel, Sardines | 29,658 | 39,304 | $30,229 | $31,604 | $45,820 |
| Other | $18,689 | $19,309 | 17,053 | $17,956 | $25,309 |
| Sub-Total | $471,811 | $508,801 | $475,502 | $493,447 | $684,916 |
| Shellfish | |||||
| Shrimp, Prawn | $394,799 | $438,706 | $446,675 | $517,080 | $488,250 |
| Lobster | $158,833 | $160,745 | $208,643 | $238,815 | $238,243 |
| Crab, other* | $73,930 | $75,805 | $75,604 | $99,966 | $101,085 |
| Scallop | $57,730 | $60,532 | $55,745 | $81,347 | $86,120 |
| Crab, snow | $7,452 | $5,550 | $6,117 | $9,486 | $17,622 |
| Other | $162,313 | $165,658 | $168,887 | $175,695 | $178,367 |
| Sub-Total | $855,057 | $906,996 | $961,671 | $1,122,391 | $1,109,688 |
| Other marine species | $519,175 | $537,779 | $548,656 | $621,401 | $514,314 |
| Freshwater Fish | $125,541 | $132,379 | $132,394 | $165,827 | $151,420 |
| Total Imports | $2,234,865 | $2,361,346 | $2,391,516 | $2,687,169 | $2,763,618 |
Source: Statistics Canada, International Trade Division, Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database
* Other Crab includes; crab, dungeness crab and king crab
The main destinations of seafood imported into Canada in 2012 were the provinces of British Columbia (30%), Ontario (29%), Quebec (16%) and New Brunswick (14%). Imports into British Columbia were mainly fresh and frozen shellfish and canned fish products, accounting for 46% of the province's imports. In Ontario, 52% of the province's imports were fresh and frozen shellfish and canned fish products. Quebec's main imports were fresh and frozen shellfish followed by fresh and frozen fish fillets (57%). Likewise, fresh and frozen shellfish accounted for over 58% of all imports into New Brunswick in 2012.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2,012 | |
| Province | thousands of dollars | ||||
| British Columbia | 710,634 | 715,820 | $712,006 | $829,204 | $835,054 |
| Ontario | 723,120 | 783,035 | $738,053 | $791,125 | $810,626 |
| Quebec | $306,709 | $349,242 | $332,851 | $424,985 | $436,697 |
| New Brunswick | 250,185 | 244,265 | $320,439 | $322,230 | $381,008 |
| Nova Scotia | 122,417 | 143,058 | $139,545 | $179,928 | $155,023 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 18,648 | 14,036 | $15,119 | $13,331 | $20,931 |
| Other1 | $103,152 | $111,890 | $133,504 | $126,366 | $124,280 |
| Total | $2,234,865 | 2,361,346 | $2,391,516 | $2,687,169 | $2,763,618 |
1Includes Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon
Source: Statistics Canada, International Trade Division, Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database
In 2012, 36% of the total value of Canadian imports of fish and seafood came from the United States, for a total of $990.0 million (Table 3.6). Imports from Thailand was second with 15% of the total value ($421.0 million), followed by China with 14% ($391.2 million). Chile and Vietnam were fourth and fifth, each representing 5% of the value of Canadian imports.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2,012 | |
| Country | thousands of dollars | ||||
| United States | 820,464 | 831,384 | $889,405 | $959,896 | $990,279 |
| Thailand | 333,316 | 354,286 | $343,008 | $397,842 | $420,987 |
| China | $314,476 | $355,718 | $358,281 | $413,101 | $391,237 |
| Chile | 114,864 | 119,406 | $120,411 | $132,373 | $136,984 |
| Vietnam | 103,585 | 123,005 | $114,210 | $133,913 | $134,527 |
| Peru | 80,592 | 54,772 | $62,163 | $68,235 | $90,987 |
| Norway | $34,589 | $41,628 | $44,344 | $66,227 | $68,978 |
| European Union | $49,055 | 56,952 | $65,466 | $65,669 | $68,539 |
| India | 43,301 | 53,621 | $52,363 | $71,832 | $67,775 |
| Indonesia | 25,197 | 26,118 | $21,435 | $33,442 | $36,353 |
| Other countries | 315,427 | 344,457 | $320,428 | $344,640 | $356,972 |
| Total | 2,234,865 | 2,361,346 | $2,391,516 | $2,687,169 | $2,763,618 |
Source: Statistics Canada, International Trade Division, Canadian International Merchandise Trade Database
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