Minister MacAulay wraps up successful China agricultural trade mission
News Release
November 21, 2017 – Ottawa, Canada – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, today wrapped up a successful 10-day visit to China, finishing a series of promotional events and meetings that raised the profile of Canadian agricultural products to our second-most valuable agri-food export market.
The three-city mission will help Canada reach its goal of growing global agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025 by providing Canadians and processors new opportunities to grow their businesses.
From Shanghai to Guangzhou to Beijing, the Minister strengthened Canada’s position as a strong agricultural trading partner, and took every opportunity to showcase Canada’s safe, high-quality food products to one of the world’s most competitive and desired markets for agriculture.
Through meetings with his counterpart, Minister Han Changfu, and with Minister Zhi Shuping from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), he set a path for continued stable trade for agricultural products, including canola and meat.
Quotes
“China is a fast-growing market. More and more Chinese consumers are looking for the safe, high-quality food that Canadian farmers and processors deliver. The Government of Canada is working to get even more of our quality food products on Chinese store shelves and e-commerce platforms, creating good, well-paying jobs in Canada and helping to strengthen our middle class.”
- Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“I’m happy to hear the positive news coming from Minister McAulay’s trip to China. China is an important market for Canadian products, and this is encouraging news for both the Canadian and Chinese economy.”
- Mary Ng, Member of Parliament, Markham-Thornhill
“China is now the world’s second largest economy, and Canadian producers have a lot to offer. Whether it is canola, soy or seafood, our processors and farmers continue to offer products that are safe and of the highest quality. Increasing trade between our two countries will not only help Canadian businesses, it will grow our middle class, create new jobs and increase our shared prosperity.”
- Shaun Chen, Member of Parliament, Scarborough North
Quick Facts
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China’s economic success and increasing number of middle class consumers translates into rising demand for value-added agricultural products, including proteins and edible oils
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China’s growing food demand aligns closely with the commercial interests of Canada’s agricultural sectors.
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China is Canada’s second-most valuable agri-food export market, after the U.S. In 2016, the value of Canada’s total agriculture, agri-food and seafood exports to China was $6.8 billion. This includes: canola seed ($1.9 billion); soybeans ($948 million); canola oil ($556 million); dried peas ($434.1 million); and frozen pork ($433 million).
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Contacts
Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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