Nathan Phinney, Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) President and Jennifer Babcock, Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs attended the Team Canada Trade Mission to Osaka and Tokyo, Japan with the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion.
The purpose of this trip was to highlight and strengthen Canada’s trade relationship with Japan. In 2022, Canadian beef exports reached half a billion dollars to Japan, a new record export. From October 29 to November 1, CCA attended meetings with Japanese importers, officials from the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo and the Japanese government.
CCA also had the opportunity to network with distinguished guests such as Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Japan’s new Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization. In the trade mission, there were visits to Costco Japan, a key retailer for Canadian beef, and key stakeholders.
Minister Ng officially launched the Tokyo portion of the trade mission by hosting a Team Canada reception for delegates to meet with local business contacts and government officials. She was accompanied by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Following the Japan trade mission, Minister MacAulay travelled to Seoul, South Korea. CCA accompanied the Minister to a cooking demonstration featuring Canadian beef at a local Supermarket. The Canadian Embassy in Seoul hosted a networking reception with government officials, businesses, and importers from South Korea.
The trade mission was a key initiative under the Government of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. It connected CCA with key business players in Japan and South Korea and helped to continue building relationships and long-term opportunities for cattle producers.
