Eleven years after the border closed to Canadian beef, Canada can once again export beef and beef products to Jamaica, effective immediately.
Canada Beef estimates that the Jamaican market for Canadian beef is worth roughly $4.5 million, or 1.5 million pounds of beef.
Jamaica is Canada’s second largest market for agricultural exports within the Caribbean region, only after Cuba, with 2013 agricultural exports to Jamaica reaching $54 million.
Canada’s top agricultural exports to the Jamaican market include wheat, frozen french fries, whey, pig fat and skim milk powder.
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“Our government continues to work with industry to open new markets to increase exports of our top-class beef,” federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said.
“This new access gives Canadian producers another vibrant market for their product, increasing their competitiveness and growing our overall economy.”
Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said since the borders were closed in 2003, Canada has regained partial or full access to “every significant market that was impacted by BSE.”
Canada continues to regain full access to some markets including China and Japan that only allow partial access to Canadian beef, said Laycraft.
