Canada may be able to move up to $2.5 million more in live breeding cattle and live breeding swine to the Black Sea region each year, with new market access to Georgia.
The former Soviet country’s government will allow imports of Canadian breeding cattle and hogs effective immediately, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Tuesday.
Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA) executive director Michael Hall said the announcement “provides live cattle exporters with an excellent market for Canadian breeding cattle.”
“Georgia is a new market for Canadian swine genetics and our solid reputation will allow us to further develop the swine industry globally,” Nancy Weicker, executive director of the Canadian Swine Exporters Association, said in the same release.
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The government, in its release, cited industry estimates that the “total gains” from access to Georgia could be worth up to $2.5 million a year.
Canada’s overall exports of animal genetics worldwide, by comparison, came in at $166.3 million in 2014. Georgia that year imported US$1.7 million in animal genetics.
Canada’s other agri-food and seafood exports to Georgia in 2014, valued at $7.4 million, formed just over half of total Canadian exports to the Eurasian country that year.
Canadian goods included frozen pork, frozen Pacific salmon, lentils, frozen chicken cuts and trees, shrubs and bushes.
Total two-way trade between Canada and Georgia in 2014 came in at $90.3 million. That included $76.1 million in imports from Georgia, mainly metals and minerals, and $14.2 million in exports to Georgia, also including vehicles, mechanical and electrical equipment and chemicals. — AGCanada.com Network
