New market opportunities in China following successful agriculture mission

Ottawa – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz’s recent agricultural trade mission to China has succeeding in opening the way for what he says could be more than $400 million in new market access opportunities.

The mission succeeded in making market access gains for beef, cattle, hogs, timothy hay, blueberries and cherries. Contracts were also signed that will allow an additional $280 million of Canadian exports into the Chinese market.

The trade mission included approximately 70 representatives from 30 Canadian associations and companies, as well as provincial agriculture ministers from B.C. and Manitoba, and officials from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“This mission has again reinforced Canada’s mutually-beneficial partnership in agricultural trade, science, technology and innovation with China,” says Ritz. “Working with our industry, the Government of Canada continues to set the stage for our producers, processors and exporters to increase their competitiveness and sales in the ever expanding Chinese market.”

Canadian agriculture and seafood exports to China now top $5.6 billion annually, making it the second most valuable market for Canadian agricultural exports.