Canada gains market access for BC greenhouse peppers to Japan

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, announced that the Government of Canada has negotiated import conditions securing new market access for greenhouse peppers from British Columbia to Japan, effective immediately.

Exports of B.C. greenhouse peppers to the Japanese market could reach $20 million annually, according to the B.C. Greenhouse Growers’ Association. Japan is a key destination for Canadian agricultural products, and this new market access will allow B.C. greenhouse growers to take advantage of the many opportunities.

Quick facts

Japan is Canada’s third-largest agricultural export market. In 2015, Canadian exports of agriculture, agri-food, and fish and seafood products to Japan totalled $3.8 billion, with key exports including canola ($1.0 billion), pork ($821 million), wheat ($406 million), and soybeans ($324 million).
In 2015, Canadian exports of fresh peppers (Capsicum annuum) to the world were valued at $330 million, while B.C. exports of fresh peppers to the world totalled $90 million in 2015.
Japanese imports of fresh peppers from all countries were valued at $169 million in 2015.

“The Government of Canada continues to work to create new opportunities for Canadian farmers and agri-food exporters in key markets all over the world. I am pleased that producers can start exporting B.C. greenhouse peppers to Japan, because this will maximize the export returns of Canadian farmers and help to grow the country’s middle class," said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

"Japan is an important market for Canadian businesses, and I was very pleased to advocate for our exporters during a working visit to Japan in May. When our producers and exporters succeed abroad Canadians and our middle class benefit here at home. New access for Canadian peppers is a reflection of our government’s strong support for British Columbian farmers, and I look forward to building on this success and furthering our trading relationship with Japan," Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, adds.