Atlantic Farm Focus
Canada expands trade with Morocco and the Middle East
Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on agricultural co-operation with Morocco last month.
The MOU will foster stronger ties between the two countries by enhancing the exchange of knowledge, adding value to Canada and Morocco’s co-operation and trade agenda, and offering a platform for Canadian business.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz also discussed the mutual benefits of a Canada-Morocco free trade agreement with his counterpart, Agriculture Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and promoted Canada as a leading supplier of high-quality durum wheat, pulses and dairy genetics.
“Morocco is an important market for Canadian pulse and durum wheat growers and we are enhancing our trade relationship with the negotiation of an ambitious free trade agreement,” Ritz said. “The Moroccan agriculture and food market is growing and diversifying, offering new sales opportunities for Canadian farmers. An FTA with Morocco could also pave the way to greater Canadian commercial presence in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Ritz invited Moroccan officials to Canada in June for the next round of FTA negotiations.
Agricultural products account for the vast majority of trade between the two countries. In 2011, Morocco’s agriculture imports from Canada totalled more than $188 million, mainly in durum wheat and pulses.
Ritz was pleased that Canada has been recognized as the Country of Honour at the 2012 Salon International au Maroc (SIAM)— the biggest agriculture trade show in Africa—currently being held in Mekns. The Canada Pavilion and a conference on innovation are showcasing the excellence of Canada’s agriculture sector, food products and technology while helping grow business co-operation and relationships between the two countries.
Ritz continued his trade mission to Saudi Arabia where he worked to advance market access issues related to beef and cattle.
In 2011, Canada’s agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia, including fish products, totalled $304m.
Topics : Canada Pavilion , Canada, Morocco , Middle East
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