Peru has reopened its markets to Canadian beef and dairy cattle, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in a Feb. 21 release.
Canada Beef and the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association estimate the market to be valued at more than $2.5 million in 2012 for the Canadian cattle sector. Canadian exporters are eligible to export to Peru all cattle born after August 1, 2007, with the bulk of expected sales being dairy genetics.
“CLGA is pleased that negotiations on a health certificate for the export of live cattle to Peru have come to a successful conclusion. Canada has Free Trade Agreements with both Colombia and Peru so it is no coincidence that we also have live cattle access for these two South American countries,” said Rick McRonald, executive director of Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA).
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Peru is a strong agricultural partner with Canada, not just in cattle imports but also in grains and pulses. Since 2009, Canadian and Peruvian farmers have benefited from a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Agri-food exports to Peru increased 42 per cent in the first full year after the implementation of the FTA compared to 2008. Total Canadian agricultural exports to Peru in 2011 were more than $247 million.
