Canada and Mexico government officials met this week in their countries’ bid to improve agri-food trade between the two countries.
The meeting saw Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Mexico Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Julio Berdegué sit down “to discuss discuss bilateral relations and to strengthen cooperation and trade ties”, a joint statement shared by the Government of Canada said.
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Following the discussion, Mexico accepted Canada’s proposal to ease import requirements for “eligible apples” from Canada’s Eastern provinces as if January next year, an official statement from the Government of Canada said.
Both parties also accepted a new certification that will allow Canadian pet foot with bovine ingredients to be sold in the Mexican market.
The two countries also agreed to use electronic certification for plant products like canola and wheat, and will continue to expand the use of the tool to other products.
Other commitments from the meeting included Canada setting a working group has to assess and propose measures for supporting regulatory recognition in meat and seafood.
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By GlobalDataUsing existing groups like the Canada-Mexico Consultative Committee and Agri-Business Working Group, the two nations said they are also looking to “strengthen collaboration and information exchange focused on food security, competitiveness, trade expansion and diversification”.
The meeting was held as part of the Canada-Mexico Action Plan 2025-2028, launched by both countries’ prime ministers in September. The plan aims to develop “a dynamic bilateral agenda aimed at achieving shared objectives over the next three years”.
“Through these actions, Canada and Mexico seek to continue strengthening their role as strategic partners in the global agri-food trade fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and growing sector”, a statement said in September.
Both countries, which already have a free-trade agreement under the USMCA deal, have been growing closer lately amid a challenging trade relationship with the US.
As of September, Mexico faces a 25% tariff from the US while Canada is dealing with a 35% duty. Both tariffs aim “to address the flow of illicit drugs” along the countries’ borders with the US, according to the White House.
The US Trade Representative is intending to review the USMCA trade agreement in July 2026.
