(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Agriculture

Alberta minister to lead Canada delegation at 33rd Tri-National Agricultural Accord

Oct 19, 2024 | 4:28 PM

Alberta’s Minister of agriculture and irrigation will travel to the U.S. next week to further strengthen relations between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Minister RJ Sigurdson will travel to Arlington, Virginia to represent the country at the 2024 Tri-National Agricultural Accord from Oct. 21-23.

“The accord represents a longstanding commitment among our three nations to collaborate and advance agricultural trade and development within North America and abroad,” Sigurdson said in a media release.

“I’m honoured to lead the Canadian delegation and work together with our trading partners and industry representatives to maintain a resilient, integrated agricultural sector that’s renowned for bringing high-quality products to the world.”

The provincial government says the agri-food industry is led by exports, which was valued at $17.9 billion last year.

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The U.S. also happens to be Alberta’s top market for agriculture and agri-food products and Mexico is the fourth largest market.

The U.S. and Canada share one of the biggest agricultural trade relationships in the world with $91.9 billion in total trade in 2023.

Last year, the top exports to the U.S. included $3.1 billion in beef, 1.2 billion in mustard/canola oil, $992 million in live cattle, and $717 million in processed potatoes.

The annual event is for senior provincial and state agricultural officials and industry representatives to work together on agricultural trade, market challenges and development issues.

During his trip to Virginia, Sigurdson will work to enhance intergovernmental relations and meet with key officials from the United States and Mexico.

He will also advocate for the agricultural industry in Alberta and Canada and look for ways to expand trade into new markets. Sigurdson will be accompanied by one staff member and three department representatives.