Electronic certification and better market access mark Canada-Mexico agri-food trade talks

As tariffs complicate the trade relationship between the US and its neighbors in the north and the south, Canada and Mexico have started a conversation to streamline commerce between the two countries. 

On Tuesday, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué, met to strengthen cooperation and trade ties between the two countries. The encounter was framed within the Canada–Mexico Action Plan 2025-2028, announced in September by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. 

Bountiful trade talks

The meeting's results included several announcements further facilitating agricultural trade.

For starters, Mexico will ease import requirements for eligible apples from Eastern Canadian Provinces starting in January 2026, and has agreed to a new certificate to provide access to Canadian pet food containing bovine ingredients. 

Referential image

The encounter also made significant strides in the realm of market access. In a press release published by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, there was “meaningful progress” on mutual laboratory and inspection recognition, and the countries agreed to advance the implementation of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Work Plan. 

The initiative aims to expand market access and ensure “competitive, safe, and high-quality products for consumers and processors”. In this context, Canada and Mexico agreed to adopt electronic certification for plant products like canola and wheat, and to continue working towards expanding this tool to other products.

Agricultural trade between the countries is alive and well, having increased by 50 percent from 2018 to 2023. The Canada–Mexico Action Plan 2025-2028 aims to increase this figure in the face of trade turmoil affecting the region. 

*Photo courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on X

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