Source: Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has met with the federal Agriculture and Agri-Food and International Trade Ministers regarding the suspension of the issuance of Canadian meat export certificates to China on June 25, 2019. The Government of Canada is currently investigating the fraudulent export certificates for Canadian pork which led to the suspension.
CCA has been informed that the Government of Canada is in contact with Chinese officials daily to resolve and rectify the technical issue. The CCA will continue to work alongside the Government of Canada to resume stable trade as quickly as possible.
It remains unclear why beef products have been included in this suspension however CCA’s understanding is that the suspension should be temporary.
Shipments of Canadian beef to China represented 2.6 per cent of Canada’s total beef exports last year. In 2018, Canadian beef exports to Mainland China were up 19 per cent in volume and 15 per cent in value at 10,300 tonnes valued at $97 million. In the first quarter of 2019, exports to Mainland China were up 445 per cent in volume and 428 per cent in value at 5,300 tonnes valued at $48 million.
