Canada Strengthens Agricultural Trade Ties with Indo-Pacific Region

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has concluded a seven-day trade mission to Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, demonstrating Canada's commitment to boosting agricultural and agri-food trade in the rapidly growing Indo-Pacific region. Canadian agricultural stakeholder groups joined the Minister on the mission, which aimed to discuss market trends, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for growth. The mission highlighted Canada's dedication to increasing and diversifying exports, as well as its intention to sign new free trade agreements, including a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia.

Key Takeaways:

• Minister MacDonald met with senior government officials, industry leaders, importers, and other key stakeholders to discuss boosting agricultural and agri-food trade, increased cooperation on research, innovation, food safety, and technical expertise, and to promote the Canada Brand.
• The Minister convened meetings between industry representatives and local businesses and importers to discuss market trends, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for growth, and attended the World Food Expo, the largest agri-food and beverages trade show in the Philippines.
• Key meetings included discussions with Indonesia's Minister of Agriculture, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and Environment, and the Philippines' Secretary of Agriculture.
• The Indo-Pacific region represents a significant and rapidly growing market for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, with the region accounting for more than a quarter of Canada's total agricultural exports and poised for substantial growth.
• Canadian agricultural stakeholder groups, including Cereals Canada, Soy Canada, Protein Industries Canada, Canada Beef, Pulse Canada, the Canadian Pork Council, and the Canadian Cattle Association, joined Minister MacDonald on the mission to promote Canadian agricultural products and build trade relationships.
• The mission underscored Canada's commitment to trade with reliable partners and growth across the Indo-Pacific region.
• The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, stated that Canada's farmers and food processors work tirelessly to produce reliable, high-quality, and safe food, and that the government is focused on creating more opportunities for them by increasing and diversifying exports and moving forward on new free trade agreements.
• Cereals Canada, Soy Canada, Protein Industries Canada, Canada Beef, Pulse Canada, the Canadian Pork Council, and the Canadian Cattle Association reiterated the importance of building strong, collaborative relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting the region's significance as a rapidly growing market for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.

Statistics:

• The Indo-Pacific region represents a significant market for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, accounting for more than a quarter of Canada's total agricultural exports.
• In 2024, Canada exported $22 billion worth of agriculture and agri-food products to the Indo-Pacific region.
• Agri-food and seafood exports represented nearly 29.6% of Canada's total merchandise exports to the Indo-Pacific region in 2023.
• The Indo-Pacific region is the world's fastest-growing region, with over 4 billion people and $47 trillion in economic activity.
• The region is home to 11 of Canada's top 20 trading partners, and Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy has committed to advancing 5 strategic objectives – from security and trade to sustainability and regional engagement.

Sources:

• The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
• Cereals Canada
• Soy Canada
• Protein Industries Canada
• Canada Beef
• Pulse Canada
• The Canadian Pork Council
• The Canadian Cattle Association
• Government of Canada
• World Food Expo
• ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA)
• Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)