OTTAWA, Ontario – Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay heads to China this week to work on building a stronger relationship between the two countries. Canada and China are collaborating on agriculture initiatives including expanding market access between the two nations.

The government of Canada is working to expand its global agriculture and food exports to $75 billion by 2025.

“With a population of 1.4 billion people, and a growing appetite for high-quality Canadian food products, the Chinese market offers significant opportunities for Canadian agricultural producers and processors,” MacAulay said. “I look forward to taking part in agri-business events in China to promote Canada’s top quality agricultural and food products, and to meeting with my Chinese counterpart to build on our shared history of collaboration and strengthen our mutually beneficial trade relationship.”

MacAulay’s trip to China May 14-18 will include meetings with leading Chinese companies such as e-commerce giant Alibaba, HeMa and GFresh to discuss in-market opportunities for Canadian food products. MacAulay will also attend the SIAL China trade show.

Also scheduled during his visit is a meeting with Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu to discuss continued cooperation and market access for Canadian beef, pork, canola and other products.