Trade talk and more international flavour at Canadian Dairy Xpo
As the industry gathered for the annual Canadian Dairy XPO in Stratford April and 2, many conversations focused on international opportunities and concerns.
As the CUSMA agreement comes under review, the industry is looking for ways to mitigate the impact of any trade adjustments with the United States.
Canada is the third-largest market for U.S. dairy producers and holds less than a one per cent share of overall global dairy trade. Under the agreement, Canada granted the U.S. access to about 3.5 per cent of its domestic dairy market tariff-free as of 2020, with quotas increasing annually until 2026.
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Senator Rob Black toured the CDX grounds and met with farmers and suppliers. He told Farmtario that the upcoming trade talks will be a challenge.
“The government is supportive of supply management. We need to hold feet to the fire,” he said, adding that CDX is an opportunity to strengthen networks and learn about products and services that could be marketed globally.
Building global trade partnerships
Both Germany and the Netherlands had delegations at the show, as well as pavilions for attendees to learn more about doing business with the two nations.
Germany and the Netherlands are also significant markets for Canadian dairy genetics. Meanwhile, Canada looks to both countries for production and engineering equipment.
Matthew Lawrence, regional sales manager for Ontario for German compressed air products manufacturer Kaeser Compressors, said Canada’s strong 75-year trade relationship with Germany continues to strengthen.
“From a business standpoint, our countries have the same mindset and value system,” he said. “Both countries tiake pride in their engineering knowledge and expertise.”
He added that Canadians understand that choosing a German product means they can have confidence in the integrity of the product.
Germany and the Netherlands are significant investors in Canadian and U.S. agricultural land, and expansion is on the minds of many suppliers.
Luc Ottink, area sales manager with Netherlands-based Ottevanger Milling Engineers, said his company is working to expand its presence in Canada.
According to Statistics Canada, the Dutch are a significant presence on immigrant-run Canadian farms, representing 23 per cent of immigrant farm operators.
“The relationship between Canada and the Netherlands has been good and we have always got along, so why not do business,” he said.
Enterprise Ireland sponsored the Dairy Fest event at the show – the social evening with lots of cheese and other dairy products available to test. Jordon Undershill, founder of CDX and now director of USMCA exhibitions for DLG, the German company that now owns the show, says that he expects Ireland to have a pavilion at the 2027 show.
Check out all of our coverage of the Canadian Dairy Xpo.
Source: Farmtario.com