Agriculture is one of the main drivers of Canada’s excellent export performance, says Minister Fast
January 28, 2014 – The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today highlighted some of the findings from Canada’s State of Trade: Trade and Investment Update 2013, a publication of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
“The Canadian economy is our government’s number one priority,” said Minister Fast. “That’s why we have worked hard to open new markets for our world-class agricultural products around the world. We know that when we grow our exports, we create new jobs and opportunities for workers and families across Canada.”
In 2012, exports of agricultural and agri-food products expanded by 7.3 percent (up $3.2 billion), reaching a new peak of $47.4 billion. Oil seeds and miscellaneous grains (canola seeds) surpassed wheat as Canada’s primary export in this category, with $8.4 billion in exports. Wheat exports grew 7.7 percent, adding $0.5 billion to total exports, and the other large increase was seen in the animal feed sub-category (up $0.5 billion, or 30.5 percent).
Under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan, priority markets for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products include China, India, Japan, Morocco, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
Canada’s State of Trade: Trade and Investment Update was released on December 27, 2013. It provides an annual overview of trends in international trade in goods and services. It includes numerous figures and tables detailing Canada’s performance in key markets, reports on trade and investment with NAFTA countries, updates of progress made under other free trade agreements and summaries of Canada’s current and financial accounts with the United States, the European Union, Japan and other trading partners.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874
media@international.gc.ca
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