By Thia James

Local business owner joins premier on India trade mission

Nov 19, 2014 | 11:10 AM

The owner of Haskap Central Sales will be joining Premier Brad Wall on a trade mission to India on Wednesday.

The main focus for Haskap Central Sales on the trade mission will be discussing haskap berries, exporting the plant material and investment opportunities in Saskatchewan for the berries, owner and operator, Curtis Braaten said. He received an invite a month ago though the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). He will return on Nov. 29.

Braaten said this is extremely important for Haskap Central Sales, which has been exporting plant material for several years.

“This gives us a much greater visibility worldwide, and we hope this will be a very good practice for us to attend Agritechnica in Germany next year.”

Wall will be on the Indian trade mission until Nov. 23. The aim is to bring investor attention to the province’s resources, and will be visiting major Indian cities, and will be meeting with politicians and representatives from two Indian government agencies.

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For Haskap Central, it’s the first international opportunity the company has taken to showcase the haskap berries – also known as blue honeysuckle or honeyberry. Haskap Central Sales, located in Henribourg, just outside of Prince Albert, has taken part in trade shows within Saskatchewan and has done some consulting work nationally.

The trade mission also represents an opportunity to open doors in the Indian market. Braaten said that most who are familiar with haskap wouldn’t think that there are many regions in India that would be able to grow the berries. The focus is on pharmaceutical and food companies.

Haskap will be promoting plant sales, since 15 other countries will be taking part in the mission.

“Attending this show in India will not just expose it to the local Indians, but it will give Haskap Central an opportunity to expose it to other parts of the world at the same time,” Braaten said.

Braaten feels that it is his company’s responsibility to “get the word out” about this fairly new industry. He said there is a lot of interest in haskap.

“It’s just a super time to be from Saskatchewan.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames