The Grain Growers of Canada are pleased with the initiation of talks for a free trade deal with Morocco.
“I was impressed by the strong desire of the Moroccan importers and exporters for free trade with Canada,” said Richard Phillips, Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada. “Their export interests were well aware of the health and safety standards necessary to reach the Canadian markets and are rapidly expanding their agricultural capacity, especially in citrus and other fruits.”
“Moroccan importers were very interested in expanding trade in both durum and lentils. The US was ahead of Canada in negotiating a deal with Morocco, but it was clear to our delegation that the high quality of products from Canada would give us a lot of opportunity for increased trade.”
“One challenge they faced as importers were lentils being smuggled in by land from other countries in the Mediterranean to avoid the current high tariffs. They recognized that an FTA would eliminate the incentive to smuggle and likely increase Canadian imports.”
The Grain Growers and Pulse Canada accompanied Minister Ritz and his team to Morocco this week for exploratory talks on a Canada-Morocco Free Trade Deal.
“I met with and toured a number of Moroccan farms and they recognize that they are short local production in both durum and lentils, They felt a trade deal would benefit them as it would give them the opportunities for exports and they are comfortable that their own production will always be in demand locally. They recognize that their exports will primarily be of products that we don’t produce and that their imports will likely be of products they either don’t produce or don’t produce enough of. One farmer said it best when he remarked, “We will fit like a hand and glove.”
“I also had the opportunity to tour two flour mills which often use Canadian durum in their blends for both flour and couscous. They like the Canadian product due to its consistent quality and are interested in both the CIGI program and increasing their imports of Canadian wheat.”
“I think the most suprising thing for myself personally was the high level of technical expertise on the farms. We discussed various pesticide applications, the price of fertilizer and the challenges of keeping marketing cooperatives competitive with the private sector. If I had closed my eyes and only listened to the conversation, I could have been in any grain elevator in Canada.”
The Grain Growers feel that an FTA with the rapidily modernizing country of Morocco will be an important foot in the door to the North African market place and strongly encourages the Government of Canada to proceed with negotiations.
