Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz has concluded his agricultural trade mission to Vietnam, where he promoted Canadian beef and created business opportunities for industry representatives in the delegation.
Ritz introduced the Canada Beef Inc. Brand series to Asia, where he showcased Canadian beef exports to Vietnam with industry at a cooking demonstration.
A meeting with local importers also took place to encourage business opportunities for the Canadian bovine genetics industry.
In Hanoi, Ritz met with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam.
They discussed the need for science-based approaches to trade and market access for Canadian agri-food products.
Ritz said, “Both our government and Canadian industry see huge potential to grow our agricultural trade relationship with Vietnam.”
He added, “Creating more trade opportunities with Vietnam will improve our hard-working producers’ and processors’ bottom lines and support economic growth across Canada.”
Ritz continued his mission in Seoul, South Korea, and was to be in Japan at the end of the week to strengthen Canada’s agricultural trade partnership.
This is his second mission to Vietnam.
Canadian agri-food and seafood exports to Vietnam totaled $238.6 million in 2014, marking an increase of 149.8 per cent since 2006.
Canadian exports of soybeans totaled $44.6 million in 2014.
It is Canada’s largest food export to Vietnam.
