Sask. delegation to promote ag, mining sectors during trip to Mexico

The Saskatchewan government is sending away a second international trade delegation in less than a week.

Just days after Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison led a delegation to the United Kingdom and Poland, Agriculture Minister David Marit is heading up a trade and investment mission to Mexico.

The government says the goal of the trip is to foster investment and opportunities in the agriculture and mining sectors.

“It is important for us to get out and tell our sustainability story across the globe, especially in key jurisdictions like Mexico who is our fourth-largest trading partner,” Marit said in a media release.

“As we work to keep Saskatchewan’s economy strong, it’s important to prioritize important markets and the relationships we have with them. We look forward to using this mission to grow our network, increase collaboration and explore new ventures that benefit both parties.”

The government previously announced the value of goods Saskatchewan exported to Mexico in 2022 exceeded $1 billion for the first time in the provinces’s history.

Agri-food products accounted for more than 97 per cent of those exports, with canola oil, canola seed and non-durum wheat comprising the top three. The export of canola seed alone accounted for more than $557 million.

The province announced in 2021 it would be opening an international trade office in Mexico City; it also has offices in China, India, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Germany.

Members of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) are to join Marit on the trip to Mexico, in large part to attend the Food Tech Summit and Expo in Mexico City. The delegation also is to meet agri-food companies outside of the summit.

STEP and others from Saskatchewan are to set up a booth and host other events at the summit, which the government said attracts more than 20,000 buyers, investors and experts in the agri-foods industry.

“Expanding business into export markets is critical for our long-term success,” C-Merak CEO Brett Casavant said. “New markets open many possibilities but also complexities dealing within different regulations and cultures.

“With support from Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, Government of Saskatchewan’s Mexico Trade Office, and the Canadian Embassy, we can access trusted expertise to connect us with local companies and explore new opportunities. The delegation to FoodTech is a perfect example of working together to showcase Saskatchewan ingredients and food to Mexico’s growing market.”

Marit also is to meet with a number of Mexican mining companies and investors to discuss the province’s capabilities in that sector.

The delegation departed Monday and is slated to return Friday.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit. (980 CJME file photo)