Canadian government regains market access to Mexico

Canadian poultry genetics exporters will again have access to the lucrative Mexican market since the doors were closed following the March 2004 outbreak of avian influenza. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement, following numerous exchanges and high-level interventions with the Mexican Government.

Mexico is an important market for Canadian exporters of poultry and related products. Imports of day old chicks and poults and hatching eggs to Mexico from all countries reached $18.2 million in 2009.

Due to this new agreement, Canadian industry estimates that exports of these products from Canada could potentially reach $2 million annually.

“We’re very pleased to hear that the export of hatching eggs, day-old chicks and turkey poults from Canada to Mexico can restart after Canada received confirmation that Mexican authorities informed their border points of entry” said Minister Ritz. “This is great news for farmers.”

The Government of Canada plays a proactive role in promoting the world-class agriculture products that come from Canadian farms. In addition to leading dozens of trade missions to expand international markets for Canadian farmers, Minister Ritz has broken down trade barriers in markets such as China, Russia, Hong Kong, Colombia and Mexico. In 2009, Canadian agri-food exports to Mexico were $1.5 billion.