Canada Eyes Pork Opportunities in Booming India
ONTARIO, CANADA - Canada Pork International (CPI), is pleased to have been invited to join the trade delegation that accompanied the Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Hon. Gerry Ritz, to India from January 12 to 14, 2009.
"We were able to learn from reliable Indian private sector sources that meat consumption is expected to double within the next ten years, if not earlier and that they have identified Canada as a preferred supplier of safe high quality pork" said Jacques Pomerleau, CPI Executive Director. He added that this confirmed CPI's previous assessment of the Indian market potential which could eventually represent a significant opportunity for Canadian pork once it gains full market access into India.
One objective of this ministerial mission to India was to stress the need to come to the conclusion of a mutually acceptable veterinary certificate that would allow Canadian pork products into India. CPI is satisfied that the negotiations have progressed as a result of this mission.
"Such missions are important to our industry as it needs to gain and maintain access to as many markets as possible, especially those that possess growth potential", said Edouard Asnong, President of CPI. He also indicated that the announcement by Minister Ritz on January 9, 2009 of an Agriculture and Agri-Food Market Access Secretariat has been well received by the industry as it clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Government of Canada in supporting our efforts to develop and diversify our export markets.
Canada Pork International is the export market development agency of the Canadian pork industry and its membership includes Canadian pork producers' organizations and pork packing, processing and trading companies.