Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau announced that the Government of Canada has regained market access to Guatemala for Canada's pork, beef and poultry products.
Guatemala had closed access to its market for Canadian meat products in December 2013, due new requirements to inspect facilities in Canada for approval of exports. Since 2013, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, with the support of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, has been negotiating access for Canada's meat products to Guatemala.
As part of this market access, Canadian exports of beef, pork and poultry meat products produced on or after April 17, 2023, are now eligible to be exported to Guatemala.
Increased exports into Guatemala has been part of Canada's long-term strategy to grow international markets for Canadian exporters, while contributing to global food security benefiting global consumers with access to high-quality meat and poultry products.
This also provides more opportunities for Canadian producers to diversify their exports and access key markets that are in close proximity geographically. Given the high transportation costs and supply chain challenges industry has faced, this access is welcomed news.
