Update: Read our statement on the announcement of a Canadian Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office here.
Grow Canada's Exports, Grow Canada's Resilience.
It’s time for a trade diversification office in the Indo-Pacific.
IT'S CANADA'S TIME TO DIVERSIFY
The Indo-Pacific region represents a significant opportunity for Canada to diversify its agricultural exports while positively impacting global food security. To achieve this outcome, Canada’s major value chain associations have developed a robust business case for the establishment of a Canadian trade diversification office in the Indo-Pacific region.
Roughly half of Canada's non-durum wheat is exported to Asia.
75% of Canada's lentil and pea exports are destined for Asian markets annually.
Today, more than 40% of Canada's canola seed, oil and meal exports are currently bound for the Indo-Pacific.
Download the EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Read our report on why this burgeoning region needs a greater Canadian presence.
THE RIGHT REGION AT THE RIGHT TIME
The Government of Canada is developing an Indo-Pacific Strategy that aims to strengthen Canada’s geopolitical position and competitiveness across the dynamic and fast-growing Indo-Pacific region. There is a central role for agriculture to play within this strategy which is underscored by the opportunity to strengthen export diversification while growing our contributions to food security in the region.
Our report is clear: by establishing an Indo-Pacific Diversification Office that strengthens engagement on market access issues, Canada can enhance the role played by Canadian agriculture exports as a supplier of safe, sustainable, and high-quality foods into this region
ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE
Led by experienced market access personnel with a mandate to work proactively to prevent issues from arising, address challenges when they surface, and advance policy and regulatory interests, it should include:
- Technical personnel (plant science, plant pathology, veterinarians) to prevent and address market access issues arising from sanitary and phytosanitary measures;
- Regulatory policy experts who can assist in building capacity regionally and championing science-based regulatory approaches in key export markets; and
- Agriculture and trade policy personnel.
This new trade diversification office will:
- Create an in-region centre of excellence that positions Canada as a trusted knowledge partner to key markets in the Indo-Pacific.
- Allow a dedicated and resourced market access team to maintain regular contact with agriculture policy makers and regulators in the Indo-Pacific.
- Provide rapid response and proactive action towards addressing market access barriers.
- Ensure Canada is at the leading edge of emerging trends in the region while facilitating communication with foreign officials.
- Create the condition for more frequent interactions with regulators in importing countries and leverage experts to support building technical capacity regionally and championing science-based regulatory approaches.
- Deliver a common, timely voice for Canada and a coordinated response to market access and trade issues by coordinating between various levels of government and industry which currently have offices and staff in the region.
"The Indo-Pacific Diversification Office will support solutions and proactive efforts needed to increase market access and expanded trade into this important region."
SPREAD THE WORD
Canada needs a stronger presence in the Indo-Pacific.
The Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, and Pulse Canada represent the largest crop value chains in Canadian agriculture, representing over $45 billion in economic activity annually, supporting over 250,000 jobs, and accounting for over 77% of all principal field crop production in Canada.
