News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick exported more than $2.2 billion in seafood products to more than 70 countries around the world last year, setting a new sales record.

This was bolstered by $1.2 billion in lobster sales, the province’s top-exported seafood product.

“To see an increase of $800 million in seafood exports over the previous year is incredible and sets another all-time record for New Brunswick,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Margaret Johnson. “Despite ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am very proud our fish and seafood industries were able to pivot and refocus their marketing efforts, which have clearly paid off.”

Before COVID-19, seafood exports averaged $1.7 billion annually. The United States, Europe, South Korea and China are the top global markets for New Brunswick seafood products, which include lobster, salmon and snow crab.

To help keep the momentum going, the department has developed a new brand and logo for use in its food and beverage export markets: New Brunswick – Deliciously Canadian.

The department is also partnering with Moncton’s Dennis Prescott, a celebrated chef and cookbook author who co-hosts a Netflix series and has more than 600,000 followers on Instagram. Through a number of social media videos, Prescott will promote New Brunswick agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries products.

“New Brunswick is the birthplace of deliciousness,” said Prescott. “The absolute best lobster, oysters and pure maple syrup anywhere in the world... and that is just the tip of the iceberg. As a proud New Brunswicker, it is an honour to work alongside the province, promoting our world-class products and incredible people.”

The province’s agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries industries deliver more than 50 products to local and export markets. They also employ more than 17,000 New Brunswickers in primary production and processing and are a significant economic contributor to many rural, coastal and Indigenous communities.