A Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union came into effect on a provisional basis last week, opening up new possibilities for the produce trade on both sides of the Atlantic. 

In a release on Friday, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) highlighted the country's exporters would now enjoy unprecedented duty-free access to the world’s largest import market for agricultural products.

The Canadian industry estimates CETA will boost agriculture and agri-food exports by up to CAD$1.5 billion (US$1.23 billion) annually. 

"This historic agreement provides new opportunities for Canadian producers, processors and exporters," said Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.

"CETA will boost Canada’s agricultural trade with the world’s second-largest market, creating jobs, deepening economic relations and improving market access for Canada’s top-quality agricultural and seafood products including berries, cereals, pulses and live lobster."

Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) vice president of policy and issue management, Jane Proctor, told Fresh Fruit Portal the industry would be weighing up potential opportunities in the EU over the coming months, getting an idea of demand for specific commodities in different markets.

"I don’t think you’ll see a huge explosion of exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to the EU, but who knows?" she asked.

"By and large industry is always going to benefit from a free trade agreement that allows better market access, and I think from a fruit and vegetable perspective that’s what this is all about - better access to a massive market," she said, also pointing to the positives of a broader government focus on securing trade agreements.

"Of course berries are going to be one - we certainly hear within the industry there’s going to be opportunities there - but we have to wait until all of these discussions start occurring and they start realizing where the import demand is too."

Spanish horticultural grower association Fepex was upbeat about the tariff cuts for fruits and vegetables under CETA, highlighting Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to Canada were worth €57.2 million (US$68.5 million) last year with a volume of 43.640 metric tons (MT).

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