Chinese customers have been quick to respond to the easing of trade barriers on Canadian canola and beef following Prime Minister Mark Carney's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Jan. 16.
As part of a press conference on Jan. 20, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said one of Canada's largest beef exporters is shipping its first load of beef to China next week.
"That's how quickly this whole process has taken place. It's very interesting, because when the door opened, it opened, and I've got to give kudos to our stakeholders, farmers and processors, ranchers. They're ready, and they've been ready," said MacDonald, with Canadian Cattle Association president Tyler Fulton behind him nodding in agreement.
Canadian beef has not been shipped directly to China since Dec. 2021, when an atypical case of BSE was found in an Alberta cow.
The market access terms for Canadian beef headed to China are the same parameters as in 2021, noted MacDonald.
He also said a Chinese canola importer placed an order for 60 thousand metric tonnes of canola seed right after the announcement was made on Friday, as China's combined tariffs on canola seed are to be cut from 85 per cent to 15 per cent as of March 1, 2026.
"The canola farmers, they've been patient, with obviously a lot of uncertainty, but you know what? The consultation and the professionalism that they've showed us as government officials has been second to none, and we certainly appreciate that. The two organizations that are here representing them today are extremely important to us in the lines of communication are always open," said MacDonald.
As part of the Carney-Xi deal announced Friday, China's "anti-dumping" tariffs on Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas will also be removed from March 1 until the end of the year. MacDonald acknowledged an extension beyond the end of the year is potentially linked to how Ottawa treats Chinese steel, on which Canada slapped 25 per cent tariffs — together with 100 per cent tariffs on electric vehicles — in the fall of 2024.
The removal of tariffs on Canadian pork was also discussed in meetings with Chinese officials last week, he said.
"One of the issues that we face with pork and China is that they produce over 90 per cent themselves. There still is a market there for us, and we'll continue to pursue that," he said.
