Trends in Alberta Agri-Food Exports - No.10 - Exports to Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Countries

• Over the past five years (2008-2012), Alberta exports of primary and processed agricultural and food products (agri-food exports) averaged almost $8.0 billion annually. More than 70 per cent ($5.7 billion) of these exports were destined to Alberta’s top five markets: the Unites States, Japan, China, Mexico and South Korea.

• Trade agreements are very important for Canada and Alberta to stay competitive in global trade, especially agri-food trade. Canada already has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the United States,  Mexico, Chile and Peru.

• On October 8, 2012, Canada joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), along with Mexico. Currently, 12 countries are participating in the TPP negotiations: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The United States is the largest TPP market for Canada and Alberta, followed by Japan.

• The TPP presents Canadian agriculture with opportunities to reduce barriers to trade and provide greater access for exporters to the fast-growing Asian markets.

• In 2012, Alberta agri-food exports to the TPP accounted for 57 per cent ($5.2 billion) of its total, at $9.2 billion, and 74 per cent ($1.7 billion) of its total agri-food imports, at $2.3 billion. The majority of this two-way trade occurred between Alberta and the United States. Excluding the United States, provincial exports to the remaining TPP countries were $2.2 billion or 24 per cent of total, and imports were $286 million or 13 per cent.

• The TPP markets are major customers for Alberta's top export products such as wheat, canola seed, beef, live cattle, pork and canola oil, among others.