Trade is a priority for the Government of Canada as a key driver of the economy, helping to creating new market opportunities for Canadian businesses, including for Canada’s farmers and food processors.
Ongoing efforts by the Government of Canada to strengthen trade ties with China, including the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s trade mission to that country which wrapped up on Dec. 7, have helped secure expanded market access for Canadian pork and beef to China.
The Honorable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, underscored the importance of the announcement that Canada and China are committed to increasing access for Canadian agricultural products to Chinese markets, which will help Canadian farmers by creating growth in the agricultural sector.
Agricultural developments are as follows:
- The launching of a pilot project for the export of Canadian chilled/fresh meat (beef and pork) to China. The pilot project allows for the export of chilled/fresh meat to China originating from Canadian establishments approved to participate in the pilot project.
- China has approved the import of frozen bone-in beef in accordance with the 2016 agreement to work towards expanded market access to China for Canada’s beef products.
“China is a priority market offering significant economic opportunities for our Canadian farmers and food processors. A stronger Canada-China trade relationship will unlock the untapped potential in our two countries’ agricultural ties, helping to expand the growth of the sector and create well-paying jobs for Canadians," MacAulay said.
As distribution chains and marketing in China for Canadian chilled and frozen meat products are developed, Canadian meat industry estimates the increased export values could be upwards of $100 million for pork and $125 million for beef over the next five years.
This expanded access and ongoing exploratory discussions towards a comprehensive trade agreement help the Government of Canada’s twin goals to grow Canada’s agri-food exports to at least $75 billion annually by 2025, and to double bilateral trade with China by 2025.
