While Canada is currently in the list of the top 20 food exporters in the world, it could move into the top five in the next five years, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
The food sector has the potential to become one of Canada’s biggest exports, the board argues, with emerging markets offering the highest potential for growth.
“The food sector already contributes more than 8% of Canada’s gross domestic product and is directly responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs,” said Michael Bloom, the organization’s vice-president, industry and business strategy.
“But it can become even more successful if our producers capture a larger share of the growing international food market.”
The Conference Board said it has developed a strategy to promote Canada’s food exports around the world. The strategy includes negotiating free trade agreements to expand exporters’ access to markets around the world and linking aid with trade to work toward greater global food security.
The goals of these steps would be to promote industry prosperity, food safety, healthy food, household food security and environmental sustainability.
The board also recommends that Canada establish an organization to monitor and measure progress in achieving these goals.
