MacDonald wraps first China mission, seeks new trade opportunities

Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald has completed his first mission to China, meeting with government officials and industry leaders to promote Canadian farm and food products. The visit included stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao and aimed to strengthen Canada’s agricultural trade ties with one of its largest overseas markets.

In Beijing, MacDonald met with Sun Meijun, minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, to discuss food safety, animal and plant health. They agreed to renew a memorandum of understanding between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and its Chinese counterpart and to expand technical collaboration. The minister also highlighted the importance of restoring market access for Canadian products.

MacDonald toured Canadian businesses and Chinese retailers in Shanghai, including Hema grocery stores, CoolFarms vertical greenhouse, McCain Foods and the opening of a new Rôtisseries Benny location. In Qingdao, he visited the Canada Pavilion at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, where exhibitors reported generating $40.8 million in on-site sales and more than $100 million in anticipated future sales.

The mission concluded with a keynote at the Canada China Business Council Business Forum, where MacDonald reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to constructive dialogue and stronger trade relations with China.

“China remains an important market for Canadian exporters, and being there allowed me to meet face-to-face with counterparts, listen to stakeholders, and see opportunities firsthand,” MacDonald said.