Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay recently concluded an agricultural trade mission to Japan and South Korea, where he was joined by representatives from the Canadian meat, grain and oilseed sectors to emphasize the mutual importance of their trading relationships with these countries.
In Tokyo, Minister MacAulay joined the Canadian industry in meetings with the Grain Importers Association and the Japan Flour Millers Association to promote sales of high-quality Canadian wheat. He also met with the Japanese meat and oilseed industry associations to build on the close working relationship Canada enjoys with these sectors.
In Seoul, Minister MacAulay met with South Korean Agriculture Minister Lee Dong-Phil to discuss the benefits of science-based trade, market access for Canadian agri-food products, and the ongoing implementation of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on Jan. 1, 2015. Minister MacAulay also participated in meetings with other industry groups to emphasize Canada's safe and stable source for wheat, beef and pork.
Earlier during this mission, Minister MacAulay participated in the G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meetings in Niigata, Japan, where Ministers supported the adoption of the G7 Niigata Agriculture Ministers' Meeting Declaration, which focuses on work towards revitalizing rural areas and increasing farmers' income; improving sustainable agricultural production and productivity; and reducing agriculture's environmental footprint and adapting to climate change.
Minister MacAulay said, "The Government of Canada strongly supports free trade to encourage investment, open markets and create jobs. We will continue to showcase Canada to the world as a reliable supplier of high-quality and safe agriculture and food products, to gain new market opportunities and ensure a prosperous Canadian agricultural sector."
Quick facts
- The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement has helped strengthen a mutually beneficial agri-food and seafood bilateral trade relationship that has grown 45 per cent over the past two years to reach $723 million in 2015.
- Canadian agri-food and seafood exports to South Korea totaled $619 million in 2015.
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In 2015, Canada exported $3.8 billion of agriculture, agri-food and seafood products to Japan, representing approximately 40 per cent of all Canadian merchandise exports to this market.
