Beijing (Rural Roots Canada) – Canada and China have agreed to extend favourable market access for Canadian canola meal, peas, lobster and crab through the end of 2028, providing farmers, harvesters and exporters with greater certainty.

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has announced that Canada and China have agreed to extend the measures through the end of 2028.

The agreement was reached during a meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) in Beijing, co-led by Sidhu and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. It was the first time the commission had met at the ministerial level.

The extension builds on the Preliminary Joint Arrangement on Addressing Bilateral Economic and Trade Issues, announced during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China in January.

That agreement restored market access for Canadian beef and lowered tariffs on canola seed, canola meal, peas, lobster and crab, Sidhu said.

Related: Canada, China Reach ‘Landmark’ Agri-Trade Agreement 

“This extension gives farmers, producers and harvesters predictable access to the Chinese market, and it’s how we will grow our exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030 to create good-paying jobs and new opportunities for businesses across Canada.”

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald says the agreement is good news for Canadian farmers, ranchers and workers throughout the agriculture and agri-food value chain.

“Canada has what the world wants, and we remain committed to working with partners in China to support mutually beneficial trade, increase technical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people connections, and create more opportunities for prosperity and growth,” said MacDonald.

Canada will also extend until the end of 2028 remission measures covering certain Chinese steel and aluminum products not manufactured in Canada.

China was Canada’s second-largest single-country merchandise trading partner in 2025, with two-way trade valued at $125.7 billion.

Canadian merchandise exports to China totalled $35 billion last year, while imports reached $90.6 billion.

Exports to China increased 31.4 per cent in the first half of 2026, reaching $21.5 billion.

The federal government says stable, predictable access to major trading partners is a key part of its effort to diversify trade, open new markets and build a stronger, more resilient economy.