Jamaican company increases exports to Canada

More local foods will be available to Jamaicans living in Canada, as a Jamaican company is set to increase exports of its popular products to that market.
Canco Ltd., which cans food products under the label, ‘Linstead Market’ will be stocking Canadian stores with canned ackees, callaloo, breadfruit and soups very soon.
Managing Director of Canco Ltd., Norman McDonald was in Toronto recently, to finalise arrangements with distributors.
Speaking to JIS News, Mr. McDonald said his company has been in business for approximately 25 years, with a wide range of products that have been chiefly exported to the United States. The company now wants to explore new markets with large Jamaican and Caribbean nationals and Mr. McDonald thinks Canada is an excellent choice.
He thanked JAMPRO and its new North American office, headed by Manager, Robert Kerr for all the support received.
Mr. Kerr told JIS News that JAMPRO is keen to work with well established producers, such as Canco Ltd., as well as other exporters who wish to look seriously at export opportunities in Canada, and are seeking new export orders.
Noting that the ethnic market in Toronto is very robust, Mr. Kerr said estimates put the size at millions of dollars, and Jamaican foods enjoy significant visibility.
He added that since the re-opening of the JAMPRO office in Toronto earlier this year, a number of new distributors with the capability to import Jamaican products by the container load, have been successfully identified.
Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, George Ramocan thanked Mr. McDonald for making inroads into Canada with his products.
“We want to be able to meet the market needs of our nationals living here and it speaks well to the future of exports from Jamaica,” said the Consul General.
Canco Ltd., located in Seaforth, St. Thomas, has a wide variety of products, including canned ackees; callaloo; breadfruit slices; red peas and gungo peas in seasoned coconut milk; ready-to-eat red peas, gungo peas and pepperpot soup; and five gourmet jams – Sorrel, Mango, Pineapple Coconut, Guava Pineapple and Banana Grapefruit.
The company will also be bringing out some new products to entice the taste buds of Jamaicans and lovers of Jamaican foods. These include Guava Jelly and Guava Jam; Mango Chutney; Pepper Jelly; Red Pepper Sauce; Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce; and Jerk Seasoning.
The company has the distinction of being one of the first companies to be certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and export canned ackees for the US market.