Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast, announced in July that the Government of Canada has opened the Ukrainian market for beef (from cattle under 30 months) and ready-to-eat meat.
This new market access marks a significant milestone for Canada following the lifting of Ukraine鈥檚 ban on Canadian beef products in 2014. Ukraine鈥檚 global imports of beef products in 2014 were $17.1 million.
Canadian beef and ready-to-eat meat establishments eligible for export to the European Union are immediately granted access to the Ukrainian market. The Government of Canada is working closely with Ukraine to expand the number of establishments that are eligible to export, pending inspections from Ukrainian authorities.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, alongside Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, announced the successful conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. The Agreement will result in the elimination of the vast majority of Ukraine鈥檚 agricultural tariffs, including Canada鈥檚 beef, pork, pulses, grains, canola oil, processed foods, and animal feed.
These achievements in increasing trade with Ukraine are an example of the government鈥檚 commitment to increasing opportunities for Canadian exporters in international markets, pursuant to Canada鈥檚 Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP).
Total bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Ukraine averaged $347 million in 2011-2013, and is expected to expand by 19 per cent as a result of the implementation of this trade agreement.
Canada exported $35.5 million worth of agriculture and agrifood, and seafood products to Ukraine in 2014. Ukraine is a priority emerging market under Canada鈥檚 GMAP.
鈥淥ur government continues to work closely with industry to open, re-open and expand new markets for our quality Canadian products,鈥� Ritz said. 鈥淪trengthening trade with Ukraine is another step towards ensuring producers can earn their living from the marketplace, and ultimately helps create jobs, growth and prosperity for all Canadians.鈥�
鈥淚 am very pleased that the Canadian government has completed the negotiation of a free trade agreement with Ukraine,鈥� said Joe Reda, president of the Canadian Meat Council. 鈥淎 survey of Canada鈥檚 meat processors has con-firmed the existence of significant long term interest in trade with Ukraine, not only as a supplier of high quality protein to Ukraine鈥檚 45 million citizens, but also in the context of Ukraine鈥檚 access to the European Union and its trade with the countries of Eastern Europe.鈥�
鈥淥ur government is committed to supporting Canadian companies to ensure they can succeed abroad,鈥� Fast said. 鈥淚n-creased market access for world-class Canadian agricultural products achieved through free trade agreements, such as the one recently announced with Ukraine, is one of the many tools our government is providing Canadians businesses and workers to seize and explore new market opportunities, creating jobs and economic growth across Canada.鈥�
