Ontario Agri-Food Products to expand to S. Korea and Japan
Sept 20, 2019
Global Korean Post
Ontario’s 3 ministers will lead trade mission to South Korea and Japan.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Sep. 17 announced the trade mission at the 102nd International Plowing Match and Rural Expo and is supported in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The Ministers will be focused on helping sectors affected by trade challenges to access new markets.
Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade will lead an Ontario trade mission to South Korea and Japan from October 12-24, 2019.
Raymond Sung Joon Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, will join the South Korea portion of the mission and will spearhead contact and business development with important trading partners.
Minister Hardeman will work to connect Ontario farmers and food processors with key importers and buyers in South Korea and Japan. He will also meet with government representatives and grocery chains to promote the high quality of Ontario products, including pork, beef, and soybeans.
Minister Fedeli will promote Ontario as an attractive destination to do business and invest, with a focus on automotive, aerospace and other key emerging sectors. He will be working to identify valuable, mutually beneficial opportunities in areas where our interests align to strengthen our economy and create good jobs in the province.
“This is a real opportunity to showcase Ontario as a leader on a global scale,” said Minister Cho. “I am excited to be part of such an important mission that will enhance our partnerships with South Korea.”
Ontario is home to close to 16,900 grains and oilseed farms that marketed soybeans worth $1.7 billion and corn worth of $1.4 billion in farm cash receipts in 2018.
In 2018, two-way trade between Ontario and South Korea generated over C$7.2 billion dollars with about 30 South Korean companies currently operating in Ontario.
