Ontario Leading Trade Mission to South Korea and Japan

VERNER – Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade will lead an Ontario trade mission to South Korea and Japan from October 12-24, 2019.

The trade mission was announced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford at the 102^nd International Plowing Match and Rural Expo and is supported in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The Ministers will be focused on helping sectors affected by trade challenges to access new markets. Minister Hardeman will work to connect Ontario farmers and food processors with key importers and buyers in South Korea and Japan. He will also meet with government representatives and grocery chains to promote the high quality of Ontario products, including pork, beef, and soybeans.

Minister Fedeli will promote Ontario as an attractive destination to do business and invest, with a focus on automotive, aerospace and other key emerging sectors. He will be working to identify valuable, mutually beneficial opportunities in areas where our interests align to strengthen our economy and create good jobs in the province.

Raymond Sung Joon Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, will join the South Korea portion of the mission and will spearhead contact and business development with important trading partners.

“This trade mission is a great opportunity to promote Ontario as a top destination for business,” said Premier Ford. “We’re sending a strong message that we’re open for business and open for jobs, and our farmers are ready to compete on the international market with their world-class products.”

“Leading this trade mission is part of my commitment to stand up for Ontario farmers affected by the trade disruption with China,” said Minister Hardeman. “For the sectors involved in our mission, namely pork, beef, and grain farmers, we see great potential to develop more business connections and access to new and growing international markets for their high-quality products.”

“Made in Ontario means a high standard of quality that is second to none,” said Minister Fedeli. “By leveraging the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we are providing Ontario businesses with access to some of the fastest growing markets in the world that will drive economic prosperity and create good jobs here at home.”

“This is a real opportunity to showcase Ontario as a leader on a global scale,” said Minister Cho. “I am excited to be part of such an important mission that will enhance our partnerships with South Korea.”

“The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo is a celebration of agricultural excellence here at home. Together with Minister Fedeli on this upcoming trade mission, we will work to promote and celebrate Ontario’s quality products to international markets,” added Hardeman.

Quick Facts

• Ontario’s hog industry value chain, including farm, processing, and retail, created approximately 55,000 direct jobs and $3.0 billion in direct GDP in 2018.
• Ontario’s cattle industry value chain, including farm, processing, and retail, created approximately 63,000 direct jobs and $3.1 billion in direct GDP in 2018.
• Ontario is home to close to 16,900 grains and oilseed farms that marketed soybeans worth $1.7 billion and corn worth of $1.4 billion in farm cash receipts in 2018.
• Ontario’s grains and oilseeds industry value chain, including farm, processing and retail, created approximately 160,000 direct jobs and $11.3 billion in direct GDP in 2018.
• In 2018, two-way trade between Ontario and Japan was valued at over C$13.5 billion dollars, making it Ontario’s 8th largest export partner in the world with over 200 Japanese companies currently operating in Ontario.
• In 2018, two-way trade between Ontario and South Korea generated over C$7.2 billion dollars with about 30 South Korean companies currently operating in Ontario.
• This project was funded in part through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year $3 billion commitment by Canada’s federal-provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.