Mexico, Canada Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation

Mexico and Canada are strengthening bilateral agricultural cooperation through new commitments on trade facilitation, regulatory alignment and technical collaboration as both countries seek to deepen North American supply chain integration amid uncertainty surrounding the future of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Columba Jazmín López, Mexico's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), met with Cameron MacKay, Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, to discuss new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development in agriculture and livestock production. The meeting focused on expanding technical and regulatory cooperation, facilitating agrifood trade, strengthening business ties and preserving North America's integrated supply chains.

Both governments agreed to prioritize initiatives that create greater opportunities for Indigenous communities through agricultural trade and productive development. López also highlighted Mexico's Field Schools (Escuelas de Campo) and Sembrando Vida as successful models for promoting sustainable production and strengthening small- and medium-scale producers.

The meeting contributes to the implementation of the Canada-Mexico Action Plan 2025-2028, signed in 2025 to strengthen technical cooperation, facilitate agrifood trade and reinforce regional supply chains.

Action Plan Expands Bilateral Trade

The latest meeting builds on commitments reached in October 2025 between Julio Berdegué, Former Agriculture Minister, and Heath MacDonald, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.  The action plan aims to deepen cooperation in agrifood trade, scientific research, technological innovation and sustainable rural development.

Agrifood trade between Mexico and Canada increased 50% between 2018 and 2023, according to both governments. The two countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in climate adaptation, animal and plant health, sustainable productivity and low-emissions agriculture.

Recent progress includes easier import requirements for eligible apples from eastern Canada, greater mutual recognition of laboratories and inspections, a new health certificate allowing Canadian pet food containing bovine ingredients to enter Mexico, and work toward electronic phytosanitary certification for products such as canola and wheat.

Officials also reaffirmed the role of the Canada-Mexico Consultative Committee and the Agribusiness Working Group in promoting food security, competitiveness and trade diversification.

USMCA Uncertainty

The renewed cooperation comes as uncertainty over the future of the USMCA continues. Donald Trump, US President, recently said he is not concerned about renewing the agreement, arguing that it is more important for Mexico and Canada than for the United States. 

US industry groups have urged the Office of the US Trade Representative to preserve tariff-free agrifood trade within the USMCA, however. In a letter to Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative, organizations representing producers, exporters, retailers and restaurants warned that seasonal tariffs or quotas on fresh produce would disrupt North America's integrated supply chains, increase consumer prices and expose US agricultural exports to retaliation.

The groups noted that Mexico and Canada are the largest destinations for US agricultural exports. In 2024, the United States exported more than US$60 billion in agricultural products to the two countries, equivalent to one-third of total US agricultural exports, with Mexico remaining a key market for US corn, dairy products, poultry, pork, beef and soybean products.