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Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, May 3, 2023

May 3, 2023 | 11:14 AM

Canada’s agriculture minister has concluded a trade mission to the Indo-Pacific Region.

Marie-Claude Bibeau visited Japan and Singapore hoping to expand partnerships and trade relationships in the region.

She took part in conversations with international counterparts and in-market stakeholders reinforcing Canada’s commitment to agriculture trade, promoting Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, sustainable global food trade, and food security.

Bibeau also participated in the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting.

Canada has regained market access to Guatemala for pork, beef, and poultry products.

Guatemala had closed access for Canadian meat products in December 2013, due new requirements to inspect facilities in Canada for approval of exports.

As part of this market access, Canadian exports of beef, pork and poultry meat products produced on or after April 17 are now eligible to be exported to Guatemala.

Increased exports into Guatemala has been part of Canada’s long-term strategy to grow international markets for Canadian exporters. It also provides more opportunities for Canadian producers to diversify their exports and access key markets that are in close proximity geographically.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority said cargo volumes fell by three per cent last year at Canada’s largest port.

The port authority said a sputtering start to 2022 caused by a weak harvest the year prior and supply chain problems could not be overcome despite surging grain and fertilizer exports late last year.

Port authority CEO Robin Silvester said imports also fell by four per cent amid softer consumer demand and overstocked inventories.

Silvester said more capacity at the port is still desperately needed due to rising trade and population forecasts.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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