Boosting PH-Canada Cooperation on Agriculture and Other Mutual Interests

The Philippines and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening agricultural cooperation, covering vital areas such as agri-fishery trade, technical collaboration, food security, free trade negotiations, and other fields of mutual interest.

On August 3, 2025, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald held a high-level meeting in the Philippines to explore ways of further boosting bilateral trade relations. (Photo: Department of Agriculture Philippines)

Philippines-Canada bilateral trade is currently valued at around USD 5.6 billion — USD 3 billion in merchandise trade and USD 2.6 billion in services, according to the Office of the Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development.

Agri-fishery trade between the two countries reached a cumulative USD 2.39 billion between 2020 and 2024, with total agricultural trade rising from USD 327 million in 2020 to a peak of USD 568 million in 2022, based on data from the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA).

On August 3, 2025, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald held a high-level meeting in the Philippines to explore ways of further boosting bilateral trade relations.

“Canada remains a vital partner in supporting our vision for a more globally competitive agriculture sector. The Philippines’ agri-fishery exports to Canada grew from USD 109 million in 2020 to USD 148 million in 2024 — the strongest performance in five years,” Laurel said.

The two officials also discussed other areas of mutual interest, including high-value crops, the response to African Swine Fever (ASF), food security, and free trade negotiations.

They tackled the ongoing ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks and raised the possibility of a bilateral FTA to broaden market access and diversification.

Such an agreement would align with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, bolstering its efforts to diversify trade beyond the U.S. and China.

For the Philippines, meanwhile, it represents an opportunity to attract Canadian capital and innovation while positioning the country as a strategic gateway to ASEAN.

The Philippines is currently the coordinating country for Canada within ASEAN. ASEAN and Canada marked the 40th year of their dialogue relationship in 2017 under Philippine chairmanship.

Canada has previously recognized greater opportunities to improve trade with the Philippines in light of the United States’ tariff policies.

MacDonald noted that the uncertainty over U.S. tariffs on several trade partners provides a window of opportunity to expand trade with the Philippines.

“I look at the U.S. tariffs — obviously, it’s a concern. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there. It’s certainly challenging for every country affected by it. But I also see this as an opportunity,” the Canadian official said.

“We need to develop relationships with other countries, and this is what we’re doing. Canada can be a trusted partner in trade, export, and import,” he added.

Canada is said to be keen on bolstering trade in key products such as beef, seafood, and malting barley.

For his part, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said there is a “very high level of ambition” between the Philippines and Canada.

“As you may know, Canada and ASEAN have had multiple rounds of negotiations toward a free trade agreement (FTA) as well. We are looking to conclude that at the most expedient pace possible, and then immediately work successively with our bilateral relationship with the Philippines,” he said.

Both countries are already part of the ongoing ASEAN-Canada FTA talks. However, they are also seeking a more targeted deal covering key sectors like agriculture, critical minerals, digitalization, and energy.

Laurel underscored that the meeting with MacDonald marked a pivotal step forward in boosting Philippine-Canada agri-relations, aiming not only to enhance trade but also to empower farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers across both nations.

One key outcome of their meeting was the signing of a Joint Statement on Technical Collaboration between the Philippines’ Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

This agreement focuses on plant health, capacity building, scientific and regulatory advancement, and the exchange of innovations to boost productivity.