A delegation from seven Vietnamese coffee companies paid a fact-finding visit to Canada from June 7-11.

 

During the trip, the delegation held working sessions with a number of local businesses and visited convenience stores and coffee shops in the country.

 

At a seminar in Ontario province, the entrepreneurs were introduced by the market study firm BPT to Canada ’s coffee market, distribution channels and ways of approaching, food safety regulations governing coffee and coffee-related products and consumer habits.

 

The Vietnam Coffee Corporation (VINACAFE) initialled an agreement with the Kien Phat Canada Company on exclusive distribution rights of Vinacafe products in this market.

 

Jointly organised by the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA), the Trade Mission and the Embassy of Vietnam in Canada , the visit was part of this year’s national trade promotion programme.

 

Canada is now one of the world’s largest coffee importers. Vietnam ’s coffee exports to this market have seen steady growth in recent years, reaching 3 million USD in the first seven months of 2009.

 

In the first four months of this year, Vietnam shipped abroad 465,000 tonnes of coffee, earning 651 million USD, a reduction of 16 percent in volume and nearly 23 percent in value due to the export price falling to 1,390 USD per tonne, 100 USD lower compared to the same period last year./.

 

(VNA)