Tokyo, Japan - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Following his second visit to Vietnam earlier this week, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz concluded his fifth agricultural trade mission to South Korea and his seventh trade mission to Japan.
In Seoul, Minister Ritz met with Korean Agriculture Minister Lee Dong-Phil to urge South Korea to lift its temporary ban on Canadian beef. He underlined the need for science-based approaches to trade and market access for Canadian agri-food products now that Canada and South Korea have a free trade agreement in place. Minister Ritz also attended the Canada Beef Inc. branding series and helped position Canada's high quality beef with many key Korean buyers.
In Tokyo Minister Ritz met with Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi. Both Ministers agreed on the benefits of free, science-based trade. He also participated in Canada Beef Inc. events to showcase Canadian beef to important Japanese importers.
Minister Ritz joined Canadian industry to meet with the Japanese Grain Importers and Flour Millers Associations to promote sales of high-quality Canadian wheat. Both the importers and millers thanked Minister Ritz for the Government's efforts in ensuring that Canadian grain is moving to port in a timely manner.
Quick facts
- Canadian agri-food and seafood exports to Japan totaled $4.1 billion in 2014, an increase of 50.26 percent since 2006.
- Japan is Canada's third-largest trading partner in agriculture and food, and second largest market for meat and cereals.
- In 2014, Canadian beef exports to Japan were worth over $103.2 million.
- Canada and South Korea enjoy a free trade agreement which entered into force on January 1, 2015. It is Canada's first free trade agreement in the Asia Pacific region.
- Canadian agri-food and seafood exports to South Korea totaled $622 million in 2014, an increase of 26.51 percent since 2006.
Source: AAFC