First announced as the host city in June 2023, the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila was officially opened this week by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay.
The Indo-Pacific region is a key one for Canadian farmers, producers, and the agri-food sector, with Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports to the region totalling $22.8 billion in 2023.
MacAulay was joined by Canadian stakeholders, government partners, and dignitaries to officially open the IPAAO.
The office will host a mobile team that will operate from a hub in Manila and work to build strategic partnerships that will grow our export opportunities and increase the demand for Canadian products, says AAFC.
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“Canada’s 43,000 canola farmers rely on trade, 90 per cent of the canola grown in Canada is exported as seed, oil, and meal. The opening of the IPAAO sends a strong signal to our trading partners in the region that Canada is serious about market access, maintenance, and development. The IPAAO is a key part of our strategy to diversify our export markets and establish long lasting relationships in the Indo-Pacific,” says Dave Carey, vice-president, government and industry relations for the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA)
The first cohort of IPAAO staff is already on the ground, working with partners to advance shared priorities, such as food security, create mutually beneficial opportunities, build on strong relationships and enhance technical cooperation, market access and trade, says AAFC.
“Through the successful CPTPP and other significant trade agreements, we have seen export opportunities continue for our high-quality Canadian beef to the Indo-Pacific region including with countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. We are pleased to see the Government of Canada supporting our global trade efforts by opening this Indo-Pacific office, supporting our valued strategic partnership, and opening more trade avenues for Canadian beef producers,” says Nathan Phinney, president of the Canadian Cattle Association.
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