KINGSTON, Jamaica – Seven Jamaican brands are currently displaying the best of the island’s food at the SIAL Canada trade exhibition being held in Toronto, Canada.

According to the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) whose mission is to drive economic development through growth in investment and export, the delegation aims to promote Jamaican food for export, and will be making valuable connections in the market as they seek to raise their international profiles.

Jamaica’s participation at SIAL Canada started yesterday April 30 and will end on May 2, 2019.

Carita Jamaica, Scotch Boyz, Linga Ya Farms, Caribbean Dreams, Tru Juice, Monymusk Plantation Rums and Home Choice are representing Jamaica at the event, which had over 15,000 buyers from 60 countries in attendance in 2018.

JAMPRO said the local brands are seeking to increase their presence in the market, as Canada’s demand for ethnic and organic food continues to increase.

There is said to be more than 20,000 grocery stores in Canada and suppliers hope to gain prominence on a few of the shelves.

JAMPRO’s President, Diane Edwards, explained that Canada has always been part of JAMPRO’s export promotion focus, however, with projected and current trends; the agency has boosted its activity in the market.

“Based on the continued diversification of the Canadian population, and our strong Diaspora community in the country, we believe that this is the perfect opportunity to have a more aggressive push in that market for Jamaican products. Ethnic food, organic products, and beverages, are really doing well in Canada, and many of our Jamaican brands can capitalise on these developments,” Edwards said.