Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has returned from a one-week trade mission to Japan and Singapore. Expansion in the region is considered one of the top priorities for the government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Bibeau met with Canadian businesses and Japanese stakeholders in Tokyo. In Miyazaki, she discussed net zero initiatives, sustainable agriculture, resilient agriculture systems and food security at the G7 agriculture ministers’ meeting.
“The Indo-Pacific region presents tremendous economic opportunities for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector,” Bibeau said. “This is why expanding our partnerships and trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific region is a top priority for the Government of Canada.”
Read Also
Mazergroup’s Bob Mazer dies
Mazergroup’s Bob Mazer, who helped grow his family’s company into a string of farm equipment dealerships and the main dealer for New Holland machinery in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, died July 6 from cancer.
Japan is Canada’s second largest market for beef, and was the third-largest market for agriculture exports in 2022.
In Singapore, Bibeau attended a bilateral meeting to discuss the country’s initiative to build its agri-food capacity and how Canada can contribute to Singapore’s food security goals, according to a May 2 press release from Bibeau’s department.
She also highlighted Canada’s exporters and national brand at the Food and Hotel Asia trade show, the release added.
Canada’s agricultural and food exports to Singapore have increased every year by 15.2 per cent since the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership between Canada and 10 other countries.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced a plan in December 2022 to open Canada’s first ever Indo-Pacific AAFC office.
