Canadian Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, Mr. Lawrence MacAulay visited India from March 7-10, 2017 with a delegation of over 20 Canadian companies and associations active in the agriculture, agri-food and seafood sectors. Minister Lawrence MacAulay travelled to Delhi and Mumbai and held wide-ranging discussions with Indian Agriculture Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh, Food Processing Minister Ms. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda. He also met various agriculture and agri-food businesses, as well as importers and exporters. Companies based in Canada are keen to export blueberries, strawberries, canola oil, pork, and fish products to India.

Minister MacAulay opened the Canada Pavilion at AAHAR International Food and Hospitality Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, where 16 Canadian companies and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec showcased a variety of agriculture products including Canola oil, seafood, snack items, health and energy food/drinks, cereals, flax products processed foods, gluten free products juices and fresh and dried fruits. He also delivered a key note address along with Canadian High Commissioner to India Mr. Nadir Patel.

Minister MacAulay's visit to India is the sixth in the last seven months by a Minister in Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau's cabinet, reflecting the importance Canada attaches to its ties with India. Trade between India and Canada rose to $6.2 billion in 2015-16 from $4.8 billion in 2012-13. In 2015-16, India imported $ 1.42 billion worth of pulses from Canada.

Ottawa
March 11, 2017