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Minister Ritz Strengthens Agricultural Trade Relationship with China

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November 12, 2021 – Shanghai, China – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today completed a successful trade mission to China where he helped deepen the long-standing ties and bilateral relations that will advance the interests of Canadian agricultural producers, processors and exporters.

Minister Ritz joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a delegation of Canadian Ministers and business leaders to take part in the Canada-China Business Forum, where they witnessed the signing of an agreement to sell $1billion of Canadian canola oil to China.  Minister Ritz participated in meetings and seminars with Chinese government officials and members of industry to discuss the tremendous opportunities for trade between China and Canada.

Minister Ritz participated in a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing alongside China’s Minister of the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Zhi Shuping, for the signing of a final Phytosanitary Arrangement for British Columbia fresh cherries marking the normalization of cherry exports from B.C. to China, valued by industry at $20 million annually. The ceremony also included the signing of a cooperative arrangement to advance work that will allow for the sale of fresh Canadian blueberries in China, new access that is estimated by industry to be valued at up to $65 million annually once fully implemented.

Minister Ritz helped promote Canada’s high-quality beef and agricultural goods by participating in a special Canada Beef Inc. branding event in Guangzhou. Building on the success of Minister Ritz's trade mission in June, Canada Beef Inc. has recently expanded its footprint in China. This expansion is aimed at solidifying the Canadian brand with the growing Chinese middle-class.

Minister Ritz also attended the Canada Pavilion at the Food and Hospitality China exhibition in Shanghai to help further Canadian business interests in the world’s second-largest economy and Canada’s second-largest single-country trading partner. A total of forty-six Canadian companies and associations participated in the exhibition this year.

Quick Facts

• This mission marks Minister Ritz's eleventh visit to China as Agriculture Minister.
• Since 2006 agriculture and seafood exports to China have increased more than fivefold to total $5.6 billion annually, making China the 2nd most valuable market for Canadian agricultural exports.
• Total two-way agriculture and food trade between Canada and APEC economies grew from US $52.8 billion in 2010 to US $66.98 billion in 2012, an increase of 26.8%.
• In 2013, Canada exported $40.9 million worth of fresh cherries, of which B.C. was responsible for almost 99%. Hong Kong, the United States (U.S.), Taiwan, China and the United Kingdom are our top five export markets.
• In 2013, Canada exported $13.9 million of frozen blueberries to China.

Quotes

“This mission has again strengthened Canada’s position as a strategic partner in China’s rapidly modernizing agriculture industry and helped to maximize the potential for Canadian industry’s success in this emerging economy. Our Government continues to create jobs with new opportunities for Canadian businesses by expanding market access in China and establishing long-term partnerships that will greatly help develop our mutual trade and research capacities and stimulate overall economic growth.”

- Gerry Ritz, Agriculture Minister

Additional Links

• PM sets course of future relations with China
• New commercial agreements between Canadian and Chinese firms
• Minister Ritz Attends APEC Meeting, Concludes Successful Mission to China and India
• Minister Ritz Concludes Successful Agriculture Mission to China

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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