“Growing our trade: Rich harvest ahead for Canada – Viet Nam partnership in agriculture and food”
When I led a trade mission to Vietnam last year, I was delighted to experience the excitement and dynamism of a country caught up in a wave of spectacular growth. The spirit was infectious. All the Canadian companies and officials on the trip were greatly impacted by the youth, entrepreneurial drive and connectedness of modern Vietnam.
Vietnam is Canada’s fastest growing partner in South-East Asia and the largest in ASEAN. With CAD $6.1 billion in combined merchandise trade for 2017, up by 12% from the previous year, predictions are that we will see more than 20% increases or, as much as CAD$10 billion over the next 10 years.
I was honored to meet with my counterpart, the Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Xuan Cuong and the Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh, along with Canada’s valued customers of Canadian agri-food products in Vietnam. There was great optimism during the discussions that our two countries were on the verge of an explosive era of bilateral trade in agri-foods and food products.
As an Atlantic Canadian, I take pride in the fact that Vietnam’s consumers have discovered fresh Canadian lobster and oysters in local markets. Canadian fish and seafood, frozen, chilled and/or processed is prized by discriminating shoppers, as well as Canada’s high – quality beef and pork production – which are sought-after ingredients in many of the delicious soups and dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. Canada’s globally renowned frozen blueberries are also in high demand. On our mission, I was also proud to highlight Canadian fresh apples and cherries, which are Canada’s leading fruit exports to Vietnam, with sales of CAD$ 3.8 million and CAD $3.2 million in 2017.
In my country, Canadian consumers are greatly influenced in their purchasing choices by the culture and cuisine of the many vibrant Vietnamese communities from coast to coast to coast. Vietnam’s sought-after world class coffee, tea, spices, cashews, and fruits, such as mangos, mangosteens, and lychees are readily available in local grocery stores across our vast country. But this is only the beginning!
Canada is the fifth largest agri-food exporter in the world. We are one of the few countries that can feed our population of 37 million many times over, and still export massively to international markets.
My country is blessed with millions of acres of wide open grassland and millions more acres for grain production. We are the sixth largest wheat producer in the world, and we export 70% of our production. Last year, we exported grain and bulk cereal worth CAN $264 million to Vietnam. Our total agri-food and seafood exports to Vietnam from Canada were CAN $614 million.
But the success story for Canadian farmers is only in its opening chapters.
As wheat has become the second most consumed staple in Vietnam following rice, Canada hopes to provide more of our fine Canadian Western Red Spring wheat for bread making, adding even more value to the delights of the wonderful Banh mi, baguette style bread or stuffed sandwich, so well – known to Canadian tourists. There is huge potential for Canadian wheat farmers in Vietnam’s enormous instant noodle assembly lines, production of which is continuously increasing in this nation of nearly 96 million.
In March 2018, Canada and Vietnam were signatories to the 11 member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP), a huge trading bloc representing 495 million people with a combined gross domestic product of CAD $13.5 trillion.
The CPTTP is great news for agriculture in both our countries. It will strengthen commercial relations in the Asia Pacific on a positive note at a time of tremendous turbulence in international markets. The CPTPP will provide a rules-based trading environment and enhanced market access for Canadian exporters and investors in the Vietnamese market.
This agreement will provide tariff benefits for Canadian agri-food exporters to Vietnam. Vietnamese agricultural exporters will also benefit from better access to the Canadian market under CPTPP. Add to all of this, the huge on-going restructuring of Vietnam’s agricultural sector, which has focused on areas of Canadian expertise, such as added value in genomics and bio-technology, as well as sustainability.
I am proud to point to the environmental impacts of the Canadian livestock and crop sectors which are among the lowest in the world thanks to great science, and research. In a word, Canada is a leader in conservation and the creation of an industry that works in cooperation with government and universities to create a greener Canada, and, through our celebrated partnership, a greener Vietnam.
Canada takes a progressive approach to global commerce. That approach puts people first and ensures that everyone can take advantage of the opportunities generated by trade and investment. That’s why Canada is proud to have supported Vietnam’s sustainable growth and poverty reduction agenda through technical assistance and capacity building, among others.
Canada is supporting projects that focus on increasing Vietnam’s agricultural competitiveness by increasing innovation and the development of marketing techniques for farmers and traders in Vietnam. Often targeted at poor rural communities, Canadian assistance means that women and men farmers can increase their productive capacity, leading to a win/win situation for both our countries.
Canada ranks close to the top of the international spectrum in terms of food safety. Last year, I was pleased to announce that Canada will soon provide an aid package of a CAD $ 15 million CAD for a food safety project in Vietnam.
In a world reeling with crises over food security, Vietnamese consumers can place their trust in our globally respected regulatory systems. The Canada Brand, the Red Maple Leaf, signifies the quality of our products, our commitment to health and nutrition and to science based regulatory systems.
Prosperity beckons. But while it is clear that governments on both sides of the Canada – Vietnam relationship are willing to lead the way, the future will be built on the hard work, energy, and daily commitment of Canadians and Vietnamese together. In celebrating our 45th anniversary, let us reflect upon the power of our people and the strength of their commitment to prosperity, peace, and friendship. These are the objectives we both share and upon which we which we will build our future./.