Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture David Marit will lead a trade mission to Mexico highlighting Saskatchewan鈥檚 canola, wheat and cattle sectors. The delegation leaves for the six-day trade mission on October 6.
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This mission will help position the province as a reliable and quality supplier of food, feed, pet food ingredients and cattle genetics. More than 89 per cent of Saskatchewan鈥檚 exports to Mexico are agri-food exports. The mission will also promote research, investment and other collaborative opportunities in Saskatchewan鈥檚 value-added sector.
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Mexico and Saskatchewan, and Canada as a whole, have a strong trading relationship. Canada exported nearly $2 billion worth of agri-food exports to the country in 2018. Saskatchewan is Canada鈥檚 leading agri-food exporter to Mexico accounting for almost 40 per cent of exports.
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鈥淢exico is one of our largest trading partners, it makes sense to do business with a market so easily accessible and free of duties and tariffs,鈥� Marit said. 鈥淭he mission will create many opportunities to strengthen our trade, research and investment ties with some of Saskatchewan鈥檚 long standing Mexican partners, companies and industry organizations.鈥�
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The mission delegation also includes representation from Canadian Western Agribition and the Canola Council of Canada, the national industry association that encompasses the entire canola industry from producers to processors and exporters.
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Saskatchewan accounts for more than 50 per cent of Canadian canola seed exports to Mexico, making us the country鈥檚 top supplier for the commodity. Over the last 10 years, Saskatchewan agri-food exports to Mexico have almost doubled in value going from $387 million in 2009 to $734 million in 2018. We are committed to enhancing our existing relationships and forging new ones with our Mexican stakeholders.
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Saskatchewan agri-food exports to Mexico were valued at more than $730 million in 2018, with key exports including canola seed, non-durum wheat and lentils.
