N.L. seafood producer hopeful for new markets at world's largest trade event in Spain

The world's largest seafood expo is drawing to a close in Barcelona, and one Newfoundland and Labrador seafood producer is optimistic he'll walk away with new customers.

Labrador Gem Seafoods president Danny Dumaresque is working the floor at the Global Seafood Marketplace. He says the expo has gotten off to a strong start.

"It's a busy spot, you know. We were hoping for solid traffic here and I must admit it's been quite good," Dumaresque told CBC Radio's The Broadcast. "We've had a robust day here with lots of people dropping by with enthusiasm about Canadian seafood."

Dumaresque says the expo has five venues filled with companies from across Europe, Asia and the U.S.

"Canada has a prominent presence here," he said. "It's a major event for the Canadian delegation."

The Newfoundland and Labrador government also has a booth there.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dumaresque says he sold scallops to a French buyer, but then the supply chain was disrupted. He says he was recently able to renew that relationship.

Dumaresque says he had his eye on this event since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. The expanding global trade war kicked off soon after.

While Canadian seafood was not tariffed, uncertainty was felt throughout the sector for months.

Dumaresque says Trump's second term is going to impact how people do business, and people are looking for stability outside of the U.S. market.

"He's going to be as unpredictable tomorrow as he was yesterday. And therefore we have to be proactive. We have to get out there and make our new customers happy with our products," he said.

"We also have to be prepared to make those contacts last, that we're not going back to where we were."

The "America first" policies won't necessarily end after Trump leaves office, Dumaresque added.

In response, he says business owners need to renew their relationship with European partners, particularly in France. He said he's also glad to see Prime Minister Mark Carney reach out to established partners in the United Kingdon, France and Germany.

Dumaresque says the established relationship with the U.S. is over, and he's optimistic that the European Union will be that new market, given its population of approximately 450 million people.

"They understand the high quality seafood that we produce," he said.

"People are certainly aware and sensitive to how Canada has been betrayed by the current government in Washington. And they're happy to be there as an ally on the economic side right now."

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