Canada Gains Expanded Market Access for Beef and Pork to Ukraine

 Following a successful inspection last September by Ukrainian authorities, 15 additional Canadian beef and pork establishments are now eligible to export, bringing the current total to 27.

Total bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Ukraine averaged $293.3 million from 2012 to 2014, and is expected to expand by 19 percent as a result of the implementation of the CUFTA. Meat Industry trade and export pundits estimate access to the Ukrainian market for Canadian beef and pork to be worth up to $50 million annually.

“The Government of Canada is working to create new trade opportunities for Canadian farmers and agri-food exporters in key markets all over the world,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “We are pleased to supply world-class beef and pork to Ukraine, maximizing export returns for the benefit of Canadian producers.”

Canada exported $35.7 million worth of agriculture and agri-food last year and is committed to strengthening commercial ties with Ukraine and securing improved market access for Canadian exporters. To this end, in July 2015, Canada and Ukraine successfully concluded negotiations toward the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA).

“Our government is pleased that the Ukrainian market has opened to more Canadian beef and pork producers,” stated Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade. “Ukraine is an important market for Canadian exporters and the recently concluded Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement is a testament to the strengthening economic relationship between our two countries.”

Canada and Ukraine are currently undertaking the legal review of the negotiated text, and once signed, the Parties can undertake their respective domestic implementation processes.

“I am very pleased that export approval has been received for all 15 Canadian meat packing and processing establishments that were visited by the Ukrainian audit team in September, 2015,” added Joe Reda, President of the Canadian Meat Council. “The industry appreciates and values highly the continuing efforts of the Canadian government to obtain export approval for the additional companies that are interested in the Ukrainian market.”

Once fully implemented, the Agreement will result in the elimination of all non-agricultural tariffs and the vast majority of Ukraine's agricultural tariffs, including on Canadian beef, certain pork, pulses, grains, fish and seafood, canola oil, processed foods, and animal feed.

Source:.Meatbusiness