Canadian beef is once again headed to Australia, marking a major breakthrough for the country’s agri-food sector and its global trade ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced Tuesday that Australia has reopened its market to Canadian beef and beef products for the first time since 2003. The move restores access to a key export destination and is expected to generate new revenue opportunities for Canadian producers while reinforcing global food security.The reopening follows Canada’s designation as having negligible risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), an acknowledgment of its safe and internationally respected beef production system..“Canada is known around the world for producing top-quality beef — and that’s a testament to the hard work of our producers,” said Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald. “Strengthening our trade ties with Australia means more opportunities for Canadian farmers and processors to grow their businesses, create good jobs, and build up our economy.”CFIA President Paul MacKinnon called the achievement “a testament to the cooperation” between regulators, the beef industry, and trade partners, crediting CFIA’s science-based decisions and high inspection standards for helping restore market access.The development comes amid Canada’s broader push to expand agri-food trade across the Indo-Pacific. .The federal government launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy in late 2022 and opened the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila in early 2024. The initiative aims to deepen regional partnerships and identify new business opportunities for Canadian exporters.In 2024, Canada ranked as the 8th largest beef exporter in the world by volume. Overall agri-food exports totaled $92.2 billion, up from $91.6 billion the year before.Australia first banned Canadian beef in 2003 following the discovery of Canada’s first domestic BSE case. Canada was formally recognized in 2021 by the World Organisation of Animal Health as having negligible risk.
