New Brunswick’s agri-food offer and growth is on display at SIAL Canada 2025 following the province’s historic results in 2024

SIAL Canada Daily sat down with the Hon. Pat Finnigan, New Brunswick’s Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, to discuss the province’s priorities, strategic initiatives, and support for growing a diversified agri-food sector.

Can you tell us a little bit about the main priorities of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries? 
We are focusing on economic development opportunities in primary agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and value-added processing across all three sectors. We are looking to deliver targeted programs and services to support sector growth and provide strategic direction for sustainable development.

How does the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries help build a stronger agri-food sector? 
We help build a stronger agri-food sector through a number of initiatives, including expert technical advisory services; funding program development and delivery; sector and strategy development; animal health (veterinary field and laboratory services); strategic and adaptive research; pest and disease monitoring and surveillance; regulatory responsibility for numerous Acts and regulations; and Marketing and Trade – Food branch.

What sets New Brunswick’s agri-food offer apart? What are some of your key exports? 
New Brunswick’s total value of agri-food is growing and it reached an all-time high in 2024 at $813.4 million. Potatoes are New Brunswick’s top export product at $482.4 million, while other key products include maple syrup, wild blueberries and cranberries.

Do you have a message for the industry? 
As we face uncertain times, it is important that all levels of government support the agri-food industry’s efforts to diversify markets across the country. 

Showing the world what New Brunswick has to offer

When asked about New Brunswick’s goals at SIAL Canada 2025, the minister highlighted the importance of market diversification, citing that the “uncertainty of key markets” is adding to a sense of urgency: “New Brunswick’s Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries’ Marketing and Trade branch mandate is to facilitate increased export, domestic and local sales, as well as to enhance market diversification.”

Along with this strategy of market diversification is a push for international events: “We are seeing increased interest from the industry in participating in international market access events.  SIAL Canada is a perfect forum where our producers, harvesters  and processors can meet with new potential customers and share the quality agri-food and seafood products available in New Brunswick.”

The Hon. Pat Finnigan summarized the importance of SIAL Canada for Canada and New Brunswick as the opportunity “to show the world what New Brunswick and Canada have to offer.” He added, “We have a long-standing agricultural tradition in this country, and it is the backbone of our economy.”