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FREDERICTON — The New Brunswick government wants to expand the amount of exports it sends to markets outside the United States by almost 16 per cent by 2030.
Premier Susan Holt unveiled the target as part of the government’s new market diversification strategy, announced in Dieppe, N.B., on Monday.
“New Brunswick has what the world wants,” Holt said in a statement. “We can’t rely on one market, but we can support our businesses to seize new opportunities and build strong relationships with trading partners.”
The government is aiming to increase exports to non-U. S. markets to $1.32 billion, up from $1.14 billion last year.
Asia is one of the regions the province is targeting, and the plan specifically mentions India, Japan and South Korea as potential partners. Holt is planning a trade mission to Cambodia and South Korea later this month.
Europe, especially Germany and France, is another area of focus, and the strategy includes plans for a New Brunswick growth office in the European Union. It already has similar offices in India and France.
The government says New Brunswick has sent exports worth an average of $849 million a year to Asia, Europe and the U.K. over the last five years. Most of that, about $629 million, went to Asia, but it says European exports are also growing.
The province says sectors such as seafood, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, forestry and mining are all seeing increased global demand.
The government has been working to diversify its trade ever since President Donald Trump began slapping tariffs on traditional trading partners, including Canada, in early 2025. The province’s forestry, seafood and beer sectors have all been hit hard, and finding new export markets was a key priority in last month’s throne speech.
The new diversification plan includes support for export-ready businesses and more trade missions and promotion.
“By connecting companies with market intelligence, trade opportunities and the right partners, we can help turn their ambitions into measurable growth, investment and jobs here at home,” Luke Randall, the minister responsible for economic development agency Opportunities NB, said in a statement.
The government aims to strengthen logistics and supply chain connections, including identifying trade bottlenecks. The province wants to increase capacity and collaboration between its major ports in Saint John and Belledune to enhance market access.
Holt also wants to boost trade with the rest of Canada by 61 per cent to $22.1 billion by 2029.
Meanwhile, the province plans to continue efforts to lower provincial trade barriers and to strengthen domestic supply chains.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2026.
— By Devin Stevens in Halifax.
The Canadian Press
