Ontario’s agri-food sector is a power house in North America, and a key contributor to the province’s economy, supporting more than 837,000 jobs and contributing $47.7 billion towards the province’s GDP. To maintain Ontario’s leadership in the agri-food sector, the province has launched the Market Access Initiative – targeted cost-share funding available to help businesses and organizations across the Ontario supply value-chain that have been directly impacted by trade restrictions.
This initiative is only a small part of what the province is doing to help navigate trade challenges. Over the next two weeks, Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade are leading an Ontario trade mission to South Korea and Japan.
Ontario Trade Mission to Japan & South Korea
In light of recent trade challenges, Japan and South Korea offer excellent export opportunities for Ontario agri-food businesses. In 2018, agri-food exports to Japan and South Korea were $401.6 million and $87.6 million. This trade mission will help Ontario businesses develop important connections in these growing markets.
During the trade mission, delegates will meet with governments, business leaders, importers and retailers, as well as attend market information sessions, in-market site visits and networking events. The mission’s itinerary is designed to maximize networking opportunities for delegates to develop business connections in Japan and South Korea.
This trade mission will leverage Ontario’s already well-established trade relationships with Japan and South Korea. The trade mission aims to increase Ontario-brand-awareness, and foster positive connections with importers, consumers, businesses and governments. Activities planned on the trade mission will spread the message that high-quality products are grown and produced in Ontario.
Trade disputes don’t change that fact that Ontario’s farms will always be among the best in the world. While the trade mission will help Ontario find new export opportunities, local restaurants and consumers should also be encouraged to buy local, with the intention of supporting our hard-working farmers and agri-food businesses.
For more information about the Market Access Initiative: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/market_access.htm
Leave a Reply