Minister MacDonald concludes successful mission to Beijing and the China International Import Expo in Shanghai

November 10, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, concluded his third mission to China, where he met with counterparts and industry leaders to discuss shared priorities on agricultural cooperation and enhance our trading relationship. Minister MacDonald also promoted Canada at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), highlighting Canada as a reliable partner for safe, high-quality, and sustainably produced agriculture and agri-food products.

In Beijing, Minister MacDonald met with his Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhu, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). The two reaffirmed their mutual commitment to constructive engagement on shared agricultural priorities, including soil health, animal health, and genetics, building on the foundation established at the revitalized Joint Agriculture Committee meeting between MARA and AAFC officials in September 2026.

Minister MacDonald also met with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Sun Meijun. Their discussion focused on advancing trade, technical cooperation, key market access priorities, which included the finalizing of an arrangement on Canadian pet food products, an agreement with market value potential of $530 million. The arrangement has been updated to allow the use of ruminant ingredients in addition to poultry. This includes processed pet food, canned pet food, pet treats, and pet chews. Demand for imported pet food continues to grow in China and this updated arrangement presents significant growth potential for the pet food industry in Canada.

The Minister also met with Chinese industry leaders including China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation, Beijing Capital Agribusiness & Food Group, and BHG Marketplace to reinforce the mutual importance of the Canada-China agricultural trade relationship and to underscore the reliability of Canada as a supplier.

While in Shanghai, Minister MacDonald attended the CIIE as part of the Canadian delegation alongside the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, where Canada was welcomed as Guest Country of Honour. At the CIIE, Minister MacDonald welcomed visitors to the opening of the Canada pavilion, engaged with sponsors, exhibitors, and purchasers and promoted Canada as a trusted global supplier of high-quality agricultural exports.

Minister MacDonald and Minister Sidhu also met with Canadian agriculture stakeholders to update them on the two-year extension of the Preliminary Joint Arrangement with China, covering Canadian canola meal, peas, lobsters, and crab. This extension will give Canadian farmers, seafood harvesters and exporters greater certainty and predictability, while supporting increased trade with China.

Canada has a long-standing commercial relationship with China, which is an important market for agriculture and agri-food producers and businesses. Throughout the mission, Minister MacDonald emphasized the importance of ongoing positive engagement with China to maximize awareness of Canadian products and support the advancement of strong and sustainable collaboration, trade, and market access.