CFIA finalizes agreement with Mexico to allow Canadian potato shipments, expanding export opportunities for producers
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has reached an agreement with Mexico’s Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) that will allow shipments of Canadian potatoes intended for consumption or processing to enter the Mexican market.
The agreement represents a significant step forward for Canada’s potato sector, opening new export opportunities for growers and reinforcing Canada’s position as a trusted supplier of high‑quality agricultural products. The CFIA will work closely with the potato industry in the coming months as next steps are implemented and export requirements are finalized.
Potatoes remain a cornerstone of Canadian agriculture. Ranked as the country’s fifth largest crop—behind canola, wheat, soybeans and corn—potatoes generated approximately $2.1 billion in farm cash receipts in 2024, highlighting their importance to Canada’s rural economy.
Beyond domestic production, the sector continues to show strong global performance. The value of Canadian potato and potato product exports increased by two per cent year‑over‑year, surpassing $3.7 billion in 2024‑2025, underscoring the growing international demand for Canadian‑grown produce.
The announcement reflects broader international interest in Canadian agricultural products and the standards that support them.
“Increasing interest in Canadian goods, both domestically and internationally, reflects the exceptional standards upheld by our agricultural sector,” said The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri‑Food, when making the announcement. “Our Government stands firmly behind our farmers, championing their innovation and efforts as they expand into new markets across Canada and beyond.”
Strengthening trade ties with Mexico has been a key focus for the federal government. In October, Minister MacDonald concluded a successful trade mission to Mexico, where both countries agreed to enhance regulatory and technical cooperation under the Canada‑Mexico 2025‑2028 Action Plan.
The goal of the plan is to help facilitate commercial ties and provide smoother market access for agri‑food products. Discussions continued during a subsequent trade visit in February 2026, further reinforcing the commitment on both sides to expand cooperation.
Securing access to international markets remains a top priority for Canada’s agricultural and agri‑food sectors. Minister MacDonald’s engagements with Mexico emphasize Canada’s broader commitment to strengthening agricultural relationships, increasing and diversifying exports, and promoting the Canada brand around the world.
The CFIA plays an important role in supporting market access by working directly with growers and packing facilities to explain foreign import requirements and ensure compliance with importing countries’ regulations.
Through inspections and verification processes, the CFIA helps confirm that Canadian products meet destination‑country standards while maintaining Canada’s reputation for quality and safety.
Interestingly, in the United States, a group of U.S. senators is currently calling for an investigation into Canadian trade practices, which they say are negatively impacting U. S. potato producers. The bipartisan effort urges the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to conduct a Section 332 investigation into Canadian federal and provincial policies. Read the article US Senators Push Potato Trade Probe.
Growers interested in shipping potatoes to Mexico or seeking guidance on next steps are encouraged to contact their local CFIA office for additional information and support.
Photo Credit: Pexels - Antara Verma