Ont. announces trade mission to South Korea and Japan

Sep 17, 2019

Ministers Hardeman and Fedeli will lead the mission between Oct. 12 and 24

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Job creation and the search for new markets for Ontario ag products will be the key components of a trade mission next month.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman and Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli will lead a trade mission to South Korea and Japan from Oct. 12 to 24, Premier Ford announced during the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) in Verner, Ont. today.

The pair will be joined by Raymond Sung Joon Moo, minister of seniors and accessibility, who will help with networking and business development.

Minister Hardeman will promote local pork, beef, grain and other products while meeting with grocery reps.

Ontario exported more than $401-million worth of agri-food products to Japan in 2018, OMAFRA says.

And trade between Ontario and South Korea totaled more than $7.2 billion that year.

As ag trade is stalled between Canada and China on multiple fronts, now is a good time to explore other avenues for Ontario’s ag exports.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Ontario,” Minister Hardeman said during the IPM’s opening ceremony. “Minister Fedeli and I will be there to promote Ontario and the incredible opportunity that is both in our province and the products we produce. Through this mission, we’re going to stand up for our farmers and we’ll go with them to help open doors to international markets.”

Farms.com has reached out to Beef Farmers of Ontario and Ontario Pork for comment.

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