Saskatchewan needs a stronger agricultural trade presence in Asia, says agriculture minister Mark Wartman.
He returned Feb. 7 from a two-week trade mission to China and Japan, where he met with representatives from all agricultural sectors and visited the Canadian Wheat Board offices in Tokyo and Beijing.
“Asian nations prefer dealing directly on the future development of trade opportunities,” he said in a news release. “Face to face meetings are extremely important, and from the discussions that took place, I see good, strong relationships that can lead to increased trade and investment for Saskatchewan producers and companies.”
Alberta has trade representatives at the Canadian embassy in Beijing, but Saskatchewan does not.
Wartman told reporters the province should look at having a physical presence in the region.
In 2005, Saskatchewan shipped agricultural products worth $486 million to Japan. Exports to China are expected to grow as the country becomes the world’s largest agricultural food market within 20 years.
