Food Processing

The seafood processing sector is a viable industry for Southeast New Brunswick. There are close to 30 seafood fish plants processing a wide range of fresh, frozen and value-added products such as lobster, crab, herring, scallop, etc.  Plants range in size from under ten to five hundred employees at peak times. Employment varies seasonally with fishing activity.

New Brunswick processors have seen their competitive position eroded over the past 10 to 15 years due to declining resources, rising material cost, adverse exchange rate movements and labour challenges.

Many processors report it is increasingly difficult to recruit and retain a labour force with the skills and interest needed to operate a fish plant.

Over the past few years, Enterprise South East has been pro-active in assisting employers addressing these issues. As one on ESE’s priority sector, Enterprise South East and Enterprise Kent partnered with the Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to evaluate the labour force challenges in the seafood processing industry.

By working with the industry and our Economic Development Partners, an action plan has been developed for moving forward over the next 2-3 years. The action plan is intended to address HR challenges which confront the seafood processing sector over the short and long term.  This action plan will be implemented in this upcoming year.

Contact us for more information on available programs and government financial assistance.