The Philippines has further strengthened its agriculture and fishery partnership with Canada following a high-level meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath Macdonald.

“Canada remains a vital partner in supporting our vision for a more globally competitive agriculture sector,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

The Aug. 3 meeting led to the signing of a joint statement on technical collaboration between the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The agreement covers cooperation in plant health, capacity building, scientific and regulatory advancement and exchange of innovations.

Other key matters discussed were food security, free trade negotiations, high-value crops and measures against African swine fever.

Tiu Laurel also highlighted the growing trade momentum between the Philippines and Canada, which hit USD2.39 billion from 2020 to 2024, with a peak of USD568 million worth of agricultural trade in 2022.

In 2024, the Philippines exported USD148 million worth of agri-fishery goods to Canada.

It was the country’s strongest performance in five years, Tiu Laurel noted. (PNA)