Canada Pork International received $6 million from the federal government July 25 to strengthen and diversity Canadian pork exports.
Market diversification is a priority for the sector now that trade relations with China, a major market, have deteriorated.
Agriculture Canada said the additional investment is earmarked to help Canada’s pork industry boost awareness in international markets and position producers to further benefit from free trade agreements.
“Canada’s pork industry contributes $24 billion to the economy. This investment will help further increase international demand for Canada’s high-quality pork and create new opportunities for our hardworking producers to take full advantage of new trade agreements,” said Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau in a news release about the funds.
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Jim Carr, minister of international trade diversification, said Canada is committed to opening new markets for farmers and exporters.
The $6 million will support CPI in sales development efforts, said CPI president Martin Lavoie, noting inroads in the Japanese market.
Last year, the pork industry exported $3.9 billion worth of pork to 89 countries, according to industry data.
CPI is the export, promotion and market development agency of the Canadian pork industry and is a joint initiative with the Canadian Meat Council and Canadian Pork Council.
The funds were channeled through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
