Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced that, further to recent negotiations for approval of beef from animals aged under 30 months old, Canadian boneless beef from animals over 30 months old can now be imported to Kazakhstan. Canadian beef has been banned in Kazakhstan since the first Canadian BSE outbreak in 2003.
Announcing the negotiations, Ritz said: “We’ve enhanced our trading relationship with Kazakhstan by supplying world-class beef to a market of strategic importance, giving producers the opportunity to compete for sales in this country.
“This government is working closely with industry to open new markets, increase prosperity for our producers, and build a stronger economy. The announcement demonstrates our continued efforts to establish relationships and maximise trade opportunities in this region for the benefit of Canadian producers.”
Canada’s international trade minister Ed Fast also welcomed the news, calling it a “science-based” decision.
In 2011, Kazakhstan imported nearly $14m-worth of Canadian agricultural and agri-food products and it is hoped this agreement will strengthen trade ties between the two countries.
The industry estimates this market will see beef exports of around 450mt to Khazakhstan. A spokesman for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada told GlobalMeatNews: “Although this market is expected to be a small venture for Canada, having access does support a diversified portfolio of opportunity for small to large export business interests.”
The Canadian government is currently negotiating a trade deal with the Customs Union, a regional trade group including Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Since 2007, imports with Russia have risen and, between 2009 and 2010, rose from just over 5.5m to 23.7mt, an increase of 18,347.6%, making Russia the fifth-largest market for Canadian beef.
Canada and Kazakhstan agreed on a health certificate for all beef under 30 months and boneless beef over 30 months, based on the current exercise of harmonisation between Eurasian Customs Union members.
Speaking about the Canada-Customs Union negotiation, a government statement said the Canadian government “will continue to work hard to ensure that trade remains uninterrupted until a long-term agreement can be concluded”.
Canada has also recently gained access to Peru and ended a long-running WTO trade dispute with South Korea. The Canadian meat industry has identified other export opportunities, including Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, South-East Asia and the US.