December 8, 2017
Canada regains market access for pork to Argentina
The government of Canada has successfully restored market access for Canadian pork exports to Argentina, effective immediately, it was announced.
The announcement, made by Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne, said this restored access would provide significant new opportunities to Canadian pork exporters in the important and emerging Argentinian market, with industry estimating an export value of up to C$16 million (US$12.5 million) annually.
In a news release, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said the restored access "builds on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's successful visit to Argentina last year, when both leaders acknowledged the progress made to date and the necessary remaining steps to allow trade of Canadian pork to Argentina to resume".
It said these export opportunities move Canada closer to its goal of reaching C$75 billion (US$58.34 billion) in annual agri-food exports by 2025, while creating well-paying jobs for Canadians.
Last year, Canada exported 1.246 million tonnes of pork valued at C$3.8 billion (US$2.834 billion) to over 100 countries. The US, China and Japan remain Canada's top 3 pork export markets in both volume and value.
The Canadian hog and pork industry generates $13.1 billion (US$9.771 billion) in economic activity and 31,000 on-farm jobs. Another 69,000 Canadians rely on the pork sector for their livelihoods. Over 70% of the industry's output is now exported, according to the Canadian Pork Council.