CPC in China to promote Canadian pork

Hans KristensenNovember 14, 2017 – OTTAWA Member of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) Board of Directors and New Brunswick pork producer Hans Kristensen is representing pork producers this week as part of a trade mission lead by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAuley. 

This mission is a great way to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and witness the dynamics of an important market for Canadian pork. Mr. Kristensen will be travelling to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing to:

  • learn firsthand about opportunities for Canadian pork products;
  • meet Chinese companies and food-importing associations interested in Canadian pork;
  • participate in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China’s largest food trade show, where Canada Pork International has a booth showcasing Canadian pork with 18 Canadian pork exporters.

“Trade missions provide us with invaluable opportunities to network and build relationships, not only with host countries, but also with other delegates participating in the mission” said Rick Bergmann, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. “China is a critical market for Canadian pork and it is important to continue expanding the demand for high-quality, safe Canadian pork,” he adds.

Canadian and Chinese officials are currently exploring a possible Canada-China Free Trade Agreement. If the exploratory discussions were to launch free trade negotiations, the CPC is ready to represent the interests of Canadian pork producers. A free trade agreement with China would be a significant opportunity, especially if China is prepared to address current trade challenges, as it has with other countries.

In 2014, the Chinese consumed 57 million tonnes of pork, but only produced 53 million tonnes of pork in 2016. In response to this opportunity, Canada exported 313 914 tonnes of pork and pork products to China in 2016, a 142% increase over the previous year. This represented a $587 million market for the pork industry, and the Canadian economy. China is Canada’s second-biggest volume export market for pork after the United States.

The Canadian government’s trade agenda is instrumental in driving benefits to Canadian hog producers. The CPC encourages the Canadian government to take every opportunity to secure favourable terms of access to foreign markets, including finalizing new trade agreements such as TPP-11, negotiating with China or modernizing existing trade agreements such as the NAFTA.

 

The Canadian Pork Council is the national voice for hog producers in Canada. A federation of nine provincial pork industry associations representing 7,000 farms, the organization plays a leadership role in achieving and maintaining a dynamic and prosperous Canadian pork sector.

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Media Contact:

Gary Stordy
Manager, Public Relations
Canadian Pork Council
613 236-9239 ext. 277
stordy@cpc-ccp.com

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