Minister MacDonald concludes successful mission to Beijing and the China International Import Expo in Shanghai

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Nov 10, 2026, 11:33 ET

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, concluded his third mission to China, where he met with counterparts and industry leaders to discuss shared priorities on agricultural cooperation and enhance our trading relationship.  Minister MacDonald also promoted Canada at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), highlighting Canada as a reliable partner for safe, high-quality, and sustainably produced agriculture and agri-food products.

In Beijing, Minister MacDonald met with his Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhu, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). The two reaffirmed their mutual commitment to constructive engagement on shared agricultural priorities, including soil health, animal health, and genetics, building on the foundation established at the revitalized Joint Agriculture Committee meeting between MARA and AAFC officials in September 2026.

Minister MacDonald also met with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), Sun Meijun. Their discussion focused on advancing trade, technical cooperation, and key market access priorities, which included the finalizing of an arrangement on Canadian pet food products, an agreement with market value potential of $530 million. The arrangement has been updated to allow the use of ruminant ingredients in addition to poultry. This includes processed pet food, canned pet food, pet treats, and pet chews. Demand for imported pet food continues to grow in China and this updated arrangement presents significant growth potential for the pet food industry in Canada.

The Minister also met with Chinese industry leaders including China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO), Beijing Capital Agribusiness & Food Group (BJCAG), and BHG Marketplace to reinforce the mutual importance of the Canada-China agricultural trade relationship and to underscore the reliability of Canada as a supplier.

While in Shanghai, Minister MacDonald attended the CIIE as part of the Canadian delegation alongside the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, where Canada was welcomed as Guest Country of Honour. At the CIIE, Minister MacDonald welcomed visitors to the opening of the Canada pavilion, engaged with sponsors, exhibitors, and purchasers and promoted Canada as a trusted global supplier of high-quality agricultural exports.

Minister MacDonald and Minister Sidhu also met with Canadian agriculture stakeholders to update them on the two-year extension of the Preliminary Joint Arrangement with China, covering Canadian canola meal, peas, lobsters, and crab. This extension will give Canadian farmers, seafood harvesters and exporters greater certainty and predictability, while supporting increased trade with China.

Canada has a long-standing commercial relationship with China, which is an important market for agriculture and agri-food producers and businesses. Throughout the mission, Minister MacDonald emphasized the importance of ongoing positive engagement with China to maximize awareness of Canadian products and support the advancement of strong and sustainable collaboration, trade, and market access.

Quote

"Continued conversations on trade and cooperation between Canada and China provide us with the opportunity to strengthen our valuable agricultural and trade relationship with this market. Building upon the foundation established by the Canada-China Strategic Partnership and Joint Agriculture Committee, continued engagement with Chinese and international partners will help Canada secure more market access and solidify Canada's reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality and sustainable agricultural, fish and seafood products."
          -  The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick facts

  • China is Canada's second-leading destination globally for agriculture, agri-food, and fish and seafood products, with Canadian exports totalling $6.7 billion in 2025.
  • In 2025, Canada's largest agri-food and seafood exports to China were canola seed, valued at CA $1.5 billion, accounting for 21.9% of our total sector exports to China in 2025. Other key exports included wheat (CA $1.2 billion, 18.0% share), soybeans (CA $971.7 million, 14.4%), barley (CA $504.7 million, 7.5% share), pork and pork products (CA $315.1 million, 4.7%) and canola meal (CA $288.2 million, 4.3% share).
  • In 2025, Canada exported a total value of CA $1 billion in dog and cat food products world-wide. In 2021, before Canadian petfood containing poultry was suspended, China was Canada's second largest pet food market accounting for CA $228 million.
  • In January, Prime Minister Carney and Chinese President Xi announced a new Strategic Partnership and the revitalization of the Joint Agricultural Committee between AAFC and MARA, deepening agricultural collaboration in accordance with the Leaders' agreed-upon Canada-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap.
  • The CIIE is China's flagship international trade exhibition and the world's largest themed cross-sector expo. As a designated Guest Country of Honour, Canada was given a National Pavilion in the Country Hall, in addition to three industry pavilions, one being an agri-food pavilion that featured 44 Canadian exhibitors under the Canada Brand, including major national organizations like Canada Beef, Canada Pork and the Fisheries Council of Canada.

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Contacts: For media: Jennica Klassen, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]

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