Minister MacAulay Concludes South American Outreach Tour

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Aug 02, 2018, 16:56 ET

OTTAWA, Aug. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada is a trading nation and the government is committed to grow and diversify trade by opening new doors in new markets, including in South America. Working with our trading partners around the world to ensure our trade is open and based in science will help the government reach its target of $75 billion in agricultural exports by 2025, while growing the economy and creating well-paying jobs.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay today concluded his agricultural outreach mission to Argentina and Chile. During his visit, the Minister emphasized the strong north-south linkages already forged between farmers and producers throughout the western hemisphere, and urged the creation of more.

At the G20 Agricultural Ministers meetings in Buenos Aires, Minister MacAulay put Canadian trade and innovation front and centre. He introduced an agricultural approach to soil management to accelerate sustainable agricultural practices around the world that received strong international support. He also reinforced the importance of open and transparent trade based in rules and science and discussed trade issues and opportunities during the meetings he held on the margins of the summit with his counterparts from Japan, Mexico, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, India, Germany and the European Union.

After the G20, the Minister's mission continued with outreach events in Argentina and Chile, where he promoted the outstanding quality of Canadian agriculture products and looked at strengthening trade partnerships. The Minister held bilateral meetings with Argentina's Minister of Agro-Industry, Luis Miguel Etchevehere, and Chile's Minister of Agriculture, Antonio Walker, to discuss topics of mutual interest and to explore ways to grow agricultural trade.

During his meeting with Argentina's Minister of Agro-Industry, Minister MacAulay expressed thanks for his country's recent work to amend import conditions for Canadian pork and pork products, which will allow Canadian exporters to take advantage of opportunities in the Argentine market, as well as for providing access for Canadian breeding swine.

Minister MacAulay participated in roundtable sessions with key agricultural associations and experts, and with Canadian companies active in Argentina, to discuss ways in which agricultural trade could be enhanced. While in Chile, the Minister also met with executives from the Chilean multi-format retailer Cencosud, the owner of Jumbo supermarkets, where he discussed retail food trends, as well as opportunities and challenges for the Canadian agri-food sector in the Chilean grocery market.

Prior to the Minister's departure for Canada, he will participate in a beef and pork promotional event in Santiago this evening to raise awareness among Chilean food buyers of the availability of these Canadian meat products sold in the local market.

Quotes

"Canada has strong trade relationships with Argentina and Chile, both important and growing markets globally. This Mission was a great opportunity to showcase Canada's high-quality and safe food, and to strengthen our trade ties in South America – actions that will grow our economy and put more money in the pockets of our farmers."
-       The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Diversifying trade with fast-growing and dynamic markets such as those in South America, creates well-paying jobs for hard-working Canadians. Through existing trade agreements and on-going negotiations with Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, Canada is securing new market access for Canadian businesses. Increased trade and investment benefits all Canadians while growing the economy."
-       The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification

Quick Facts

  • Argentina is the third-largest economy in Latin America (behind Brazil and Mexico), with a GDP of more than USD $620.1 billion in 2017.
  • Bilateral agriculture and agri-food and seafood trade between Canada and Argentina reached $302.4 million (CAD) in 2017.
  • In 2017, Canada exported $17 million of agri-food products to Argentina, primarily potato products, alfalfa seeds, bull semen, lentils, and food preparations.
  • In addition to being an emerging market for Canadian agri-food products, Argentina is also an ally in areas such as biotechnology and pesticide maximum residue limits.
  • The South American trade bloc of Mercosur is a customs union established by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In 2017, Canada and Mercosur exchanged $8.9 billion in trade.
  • Bilateral agriculture and agri-food trade between Canada and Chile was $1 billion in 2017.
  • In 2017, Canada exported $279 million of agriculture and agri-food products to Chile, primarily crude canola oil, non-durum wheat, dried and shelled lentils and frozen pork.
  • The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement is one of Canada's oldest trade agreements, in force since 1997. Canada enjoys duty-free access to Chile for almost all agriculture and agri-food products.

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: 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, [email protected]

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