Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement benefits eager agriculture and agri-food exporters

November 8, 2017

The wait is over for Canadian producers, processors and exporters looking to take advantage of opportunities in the Canada–European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The provisional application of CETA on Sept 21, 2017 is excellent news for Canada's agriculture sector, which is now enjoying improved access to the world's largest import market for agriculture and agri-food. One of Canada's most progressive and ambitious trade initiatives, CETA will offer significant benefits to exporters for key agricultural products, including beef, pork, grains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables and processed products.

Thanks to the agreement, nearly 94 percent of its agricultural and 96 percent of its fish and seafood tariffs are now duty-free. This is giving producers and processors an advantage over competitors in countries that do not have free trade agreements in force with the EU. Industry has estimated that CETA will increase Canada's agri-food annual exports by up to $1.5 billion. Minister MacAulay promoted the benefits of the free-trade deal during a recent agricultural trade mission to Europe that included a stop in Germany for the ANUGA trade show – one of the largest food and beverage fairs in the world.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has Trade Commissioners strategically placed around the globe, including the EU, to help producers and processors take advantage of CETA. These Trade Commissioners are supporting Canadian companies as they establish or expand their exports. AAFC and Global Affairs Canada have worked together on a number of CETA resources to help farmers, processors and exporters hoping to capitalize on the benefits of the agreement.

Thanks to CETA, Canadian agri-food industry is poised for unprecedented access to new markets in the EU.

Find out more

Read more on CETA.

Find out what the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service has to say about exporting to the EU.