Championing a Prosperous and Free Trading Future for Canadian Agriculture
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) represents the 90% of farmers, ranchers, producers, processors, and exporters who depend on trade. Profound geopolitical shifts are rapidly reshaping the international trading landscape, creating uncertainty, and amplifying risks for Canadian agri-food exporters. Canada’s management of these shifts should avoid protectionist measures that weaken our credibility as supporters of the global rules-based trading order. Canada’s agri-food sector is uniquely positioned to drive economic prosperity and diplomatic influence on the global stage. Rising global incomes are expected to increase total food consumption by 50 to 70 per cent by 2050, with demand in India and Southeast Asia forecasted to grow by 31 per cent in the next decade. This provides a unique opportunity for Canada to meet growing international food demand.
CAFTA urgently calls on the Canadian government to place agriculture firmly at the heart of its international trade policy, recognizing its strategic importance and potential, and recommit unequivocally to principles of free, fair, and open trade.
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Place Agri-Food Trade at the Heart of Canada’s International Agenda
Canadian agriculture is vital to Canada’s economic growth and global influence. However, it remains underleveraged in Canadian international diplomacy and trade policy:
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Canada requires a clear strategic framework for agri-food trade that strengthens and grows our agri-food exports and champions the global rules-based trading system. This strategy should shape all our trading relationships, from established to growing and potential markets.
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The Canadian government must explicitly prioritize agriculture as central to its diplomatic and economic strategies. Trade liberalizing agri-food trade objectives must be central to all trade negotiations and reviews. Protectionist measures, both domestically and internationally, should be rejected as they undermine the principles of free, fair, and open trade.
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Defend Canadian Agri-Food Export Interests in the 2026 CUSMA Review
As we prepare for the upcoming 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), protectionist pressures threaten the trade provisions that underpin trilateral agri-food trade. To reinforce a rules-based North American market and avoid unintended negative impacts for Canadian agri-food, Canada must:
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Defend critical aspects of CUSMA for agri-food exporters, such as tariff-free trade, dispute settlement, TRQ and tariff preference levels, ambitious SPS measures and commitments, science-based decision making, and regulatory cooperation.
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Guarantee robust and structured consultation with agri-food export interests through the CUSMA review as well as representation on relevant advisory bodies.
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Modernize and Strengthen Canada’s Market Access Infrastructure
Canada requires a strengthened, proactive, and innovative market access infrastructure to meet 21st-century trade challenges. Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) have become the most important barrier in most markets as tariffs were largely eliminated though negotiation of agreements. NTBs often require deep engagement with the regulatory systems of potential markets to be resolved.
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Modernize the Market Access Secretariat (MAS) with expanded predictive and proactive intelligence capabilities, enabling early identification and resolution of market access barriers before they impact Canadian exports.
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Strengthen MAS’s coordination role across government departments (e.g., GAC, CFIA, TCS) to proactively identify emerging tariff and non-tariff threats, ensuring more comprehensive, government-wide issue identification in partnership with industry.
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Improve mechanisms for timely reporting and two-way communications with industry to monitor, validate and respond to current and emerging market access issues.
CONCLUDING KEY MESSAGES
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Canadian agriculture is integral to the country's economic growth, job creation, and global influence, representing nearly $100 billion in annual exports.
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Protectionism and isolationist policies, both domestically and internationally, jeopardize Canada's competitive advantage and economic resilience, especially in an era of rising geopolitical tensions.​​
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A proactive, trade-forward diplomatic approach is crucial to maintaining and expanding market access, guarding against retaliatory measures, and reinforcing Canada’s position as a trusted and reliable global food provider.​
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Amid global uncertainty, prioritizing agri-food exports can transform current challenges into strategic advantages, strengthening Canada’s global diplomatic influence and economic stability.
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Government-industry collaboration is essential in identifying and addressing emerging trade barriers swiftly and efficiently, enhancing Canada's credibility and reliability in global markets.​
CAFTA members stand ready to collaborate actively with the government to ensure Canada's agri-food trade policy remains robust, innovative, and future-focused, securing ongoing international trade success.