Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Canada reveals location for Indo-Pacific ag office

Canada reveals location for Indo-Pacific ag office

The office will be in Manila, Philippines

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.om

The Canadian ag sector now knows where the federal government’s Indo-Pacific agriculture office will be.

Manila, Philippines is where the office will be located, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau revealed on June 7.

It was in November 2022 that Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada would invest almost $32 million to set up an agricultural office in the Indo-Pacific region.

Representatives from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will work together at the new office in Manila.

A mobile team will be there to assist with diplomatic missions and help various stakeholders with ag-related issues.

“Hosting this new Office is an opportunity to build on our economic relationship, and enrich people-to-people ties,” Minister Bibeau said in a statement. “Our Government will continue to help Canadian farmers, food processors and exporters maximize their opportunities, and diversify their markets in the world’s fastest-growing economic zone.”

Canada exports billions of dollars of agriculture and agri-food products to the Indo-Pacific region.

That number totalled $21.8 billion in 2022, with a 7 per cent increase in exports between 2018 and 2022.

In addition, Canada has regional trade agreements like the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the CPTPP.

Having a permanent presence in the region will help the Canadian ag sector take advantage of further trade opportunities, said Dan Darling, president of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance.

“We are keen to continue to work with the federal government to ensure this office helps agri-food exporters grow Canada's market share in the Indo-Pacific which will strengthen critical people to people ties, create new jobs, support food security, and enable more opportunities in trade for Canadian agri-food businesses,” he said in a statement.


Trending Video

Pork Industry Seeks Clarity on Trade Deals, Labor Policy and Processed Food Definition

Video: Pork Industry Seeks Clarity on Trade Deals, Labor Policy and Processed Food Definition

When Duane Stateler joined the National Pork Producers Council board, he expected his biggest challenge would be pushing back against California’s Proposition 12 while working to expand markets. Instead, he’s now navigating trade disputes and a new MAHA report that puts sausage in the crosshairs as a processed food. Labor shortages and the next farm bill are also on the agenda — all while he continues running his Macomb, Ohio farm and serving as board president.