Ban on Canadian pork lifted by Argentina

Argentina has lifted its 15-year ban on Canadian pork exports, imposed around 2002, providing meat processors with immediate access to South America’s second-largest market.

Lawrence MacAulay and François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s ministers of agriculture and international trade respectively, confirmed market access to Argentina had been restored.

Reopening of the market comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Argentina last year. Both countries are believed to have discussed streamlining the final steps to allow Canadian pork exports to flow once again into Argentina.

Canada wants CA$75bn export sales by 2025​

MacAulay hailed the progress as a “great example​” of how the government is trying to provide processors with better access to world markets to “enhance competitiveness​” and “strengthen​” Canada’s middle class.

Champagne added: “Our government is working hard to open markets and create new trade opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.​

“Canadian pork access to the Argentinian market is an important step in our valued and growing relationship and evidence that engagement produces results. I encourage our Canadian pork industry to take advantage of the opportunities this leading South American market offers.​”

Renewed access to supply Argentinians with Canadian-made pork move the North American country closer to its goal of generated CA$75bn in yearly agree-food trade in the next seven years.

Neil Ketilson, chair of the board of directors at Canada Pork International, an export-promoting organisation, said: “CPI is very pleased with this announcement. The Argentinian market represents a solid opportunity to further develop and diversify Canadian pork exports in South America.”