The barriers to trade were removed following a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri. They made the decision on the basis that free trade is the best way to pull a nation out of economic uncertainty. The last time Canadian pork had access to this market was in 2002.
The decision was welcomed by Rick Bergmann, chair of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC). “We are extremely fortunate to have excellent animal health status and a strong reputation all over the world as a supplier of safe high-quality pork. This restored access provides important opportunities for the Canadian pork industry and, given that we export well over two-thirds of our production, improving market access enables us to achieve the best overall return for our producers.”
According to the CPC, this restored access could be worth $16m annually to the Canadian economy, due to the high-quality cuts being exported to Argentina. It hopes that re-establishing access in Argentina will “help to secure the Canadian pork industry’s position in the region as a top supplier”.
Bergmann added that the industry’s commitment to high-quality produce had been a factor in accessing new markets.
“The Canadian pork industry is committed to on-farm programs, and producer-led initiatives, like the Verified Canadian Pork program, helps our industry position itself as a leader in a very competitive global marketplace. The programs garner respect and benefit the Canadian pork industry in gaining market access internationally and domestically.”