Canada has opened its market to Ukrainian apple exporters

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection held successful negotiations with the Canadian side, resulting in the approval by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of the programme for exporting fresh apples from Ukraine to Canada. Ukrainian producers have gained new export opportunities to the Canadian market.

"In the context of the full-scale Russian aggression, we are paying special attention to supporting the economy of Ukraine and Ukrainian exporters. A strong economy and resilient businesses play a critical role in our country's overall defense capability. Therefore, together with the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, we continue to create new opportunities for Ukrainian producers, liberalize trade, and open doors to new external markets," stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha.

"Demand for Ukrainian products continues to grow on the international trade arena. Today, Canada is opening its market for our apples. The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is processing every request from businesses regarding the opening of new markets. We are considering not only specific countries but the entire world map: America, European Union countries, Africa, and East Asia," emphasized Serhiy Tkachuk, Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

Canada has already updated its import requirements for Ukraine in its automated import reference system (AIRS) and approved the Export Program for Ukrainian Apples (Malus domestica) to Canada, which includes the following key aspects:

• Producers growing apples, packaging companies, and exporters must be registered with the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and included in the List of Exporters, Producers, and Packers of Ukrainian Apples to Canada;
• Orchard monitoring must be carried out under the control of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection to forecast the spread of harmful organisms and ensure recommendations for combating them;
• Measures to control harmful organisms must ensure that registered operators maintain low prevalence or the absence of harmful organisms regulated by Canada;
• Enterprises must use sorting equipment to remove mites, insects, other pests, dirt, etc.;
• A phytosanitary certificate, issued by the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, must accompany each shipment.