Pulse Canada today welcomed the conclusion of Canada-UAE CEPA negotiations and the signing of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement. Both are steps toward opening more doors for Canadian pulse crops around the world.
“Pulse Canada welcomes two pieces of good news for our industry this week with the conclusion of the Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and the signing of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” said Pulse Canada Chair Shane Strydhorst. “Every new trade agreement is a signal to our growers and processors that Canada is serious about finding new homes for what we grow."
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a major customer for Canada’s pulse industry. In 2025, Canadian growers and exporters shipped $268.6 million worth of pulses to the UAE — over 300,000 tonnes. Lentils made up the bulk of that, at $225.7 million, followed by peas, chickpeas and kidney beans. A full economic partnership with preferential access to the UAE should help grow an already strong trading relationship.
Ecuador also represents a promising market for Canadian pulses, including lentils, peas, and kidney beans. Canada exported $37.2 million worth of pulses to Ecuador in 2025. Under the new agreement, tariffs on peas, lentils and some beans will drop to zero – strengthening Canada’s competitiveness and creating a strong platform to grow the sector’s trading relationship.
"The UAE and Ecuador are both markets where Canadian lentils, peas and chickpeas have room to grow, and stable, predictable access matters as we work to diversify demand” said Pulse Canada President Greg Cherewyk. “Pulse Canada will monitor both agreements closely as the full details are released, and we will keep working with the federal government to make sure pulse crops see real benefit as these deals move toward final signing and ratification.”
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