Canada and China extend favourable access for canola meal, peas, lobsters and crab through 2028

BEIJING, Nov 4 — Canada and China have agreed to extend favourable market access for Canadian canola meal, peas, lobsters and crab by two years, to the end of 2028, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced on Wednesday.

Agreed at the first ministerial-level trade commission meeting

The extension was agreed at a meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) in Beijing, which Sidhu co-led with China's Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao. Global Affairs Canada said it was the first time the commission has met at ministerial level. The measures were first introduced under the Preliminary Joint Arrangement on Addressing Bilateral Economic and Trade Issues, announced during Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing in January 2026, which restored market access for key Canadian agriculture, agri-food and seafood products. China also restored market access for Canadian beef in January 2026.

Certainty for farmers and exporters; steel and aluminum remission extended too

Ottawa said the extension will give Canadian farmers, seafood harvesters and exporters greater certainty and predictability, while supporting increased exports to China. Canada will also extend to the end of 2028 previous remission measures covered by the original arrangement for certain Chinese steel and aluminum products not made in Canada. Canada said it will keep discussing with China how to deliver on its target of increasing Canadian exports to China by 50 per cent.

Sidhu: sectors involved sustain more than 600,000 jobs

Sidhu said: 'The agreement I reached this week at the Joint Economic and Trade Commission extends the Preliminary Joint Arrangement until the end of 2028, building on what Prime Minister Carney and I secured in Beijing in January. The arrangement has restored access for Canadian beef and lowered tariffs on canola seed, canola meal, peas, lobster and crab, unlocking billions in exports and supporting sectors that sustain more than 600,000 jobs in Canada. This extension gives farmers, producers and harvesters predictable access to the Chinese market, and it is how we will grow our exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030.'

(Source: Global Affairs Canada news release, November 4, 2026. Photo: file image of a canola field.)