Kitsaki Meats featured at fair

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Kitsaki Meats had a chance to promote its products to an international market last month, as one of nine Aboriginal companies from across Canada featured at a trade fair for the food and beverage sector.

The companies were part of an Aboriginal pavilion at the SIAL (Salon International de l'alimentation) Montreal trade show held March 4 to 6 at the Palais des Congrés de Montréal.

Kitsaki Meats is owned by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. The company produces Northern Lights beef jerky and organic wild rice. The rice is marketed throughout Europe and the U.S., while the beef jerky is marketed across Canada and in Japan.

This is the first time an Aboriginal pavilion has been part of the international trade fair, and the first time a SIAL event has been held in Canada.

SIAL trade fairs have been held in Paris every two years since 1964. Since 1997, other international trade fairs for the food and beverage industry have been held in other locations around the world under the SIAL banner. Montreal SIAL is the latest addition, joining Buenos Aires, Singapore and Peking.

Terry Helary is general manager of Kitsaki Meats. Helary, who has been involved in other international trade fairs in Germany, the U.K. and U.S., as well as other trade fairs in Canada, said he was impressed by SIAL Montreal.

"I was very surprised at the size of the show, being the first year. And very impressed. I think it's definitely the largest food show in Canada," he said.

There was a lot of interest in both of the company's products among trade fair participants , interest Helary hopes Kitsaki can turn into sales. International trade fairs like SIAL Montreal allow the company to reach markets they couldn't otherwise reach, Helary said.

"Anytime that you're at a trade fair, your product is being exposed to buyers, not only within Canada, but internationally. And exposure, exposure is the key."

Celine Tremblay is export coordinator with the First People's Business Association, the organization that coordinated the Aboriginal pavilion at SIAL Montreal. She said the companies featured in the pavilion were well received by trade fair participants, with all nine businesses making new contacts, and a few sales as well.

The next edition of SIAL Montreal is scheduled for 2003. Tremblay said the association hopes another Aboriginal pavilion will be part of that event as well.

"It was very good for our companies, and we want to do it again," she said.