Canada, China Extend Seafood Market Access to 2028

Canada and China agreed to keep favourable market access for canola meal, peas, lobsters and crab until the end of 2028.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in International Trade

Canada, China Extend Seafood Market Access to 2028

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Canada and China agreed to extend favourable market access for Canadian canola meal, peas, lobsters and crab until the end of 2028. Canada also extended to the end of 2028 remission measures covered by the original Preliminary Joint Arrangement for certain Chinese steel and aluminum products not made in Canada.

Why it matters

China is the second-largest single-country merchandise trading partner to Canada, and Newfoundland and Labrador seafood processors exported around $221 million in seafood products to China in 2025. The extension gives exporters a longer period of predictable access to a major market.

Canadian exports to China grew 31.4 per cent to $21.5 billion in the first half of 2026, according to trade figures. Whether this pace continues toward the government's 50 per cent export growth target has not been determined.

The players

Joanne Thompson

Joanne Thompson is Canada's Fisheries Minister, who led promotion of Canadian seafood during her October 2026 visit to China.

The details

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson visited Qingdao and Beijing from October 26 to 30, 2026, promoting Canadian fish and seafood at the 28th China Fisheries and Seafood Expo and the Fish for Future Forum 2026. Canada will continue discussions with China to identify further trade opportunities.

October 26-30, 2026: Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson visits Qingdao and Beijing.
End of 2028: Market access and remission measures are extended until this date.

Market Dynamics

The extension supports the government's stated goal of increasing Canadian exports to China by 50 per cent. Canadian exports to China rose 31.4 per cent in the first half of 2026, showing momentum toward that target.

Seafood processors and canola and pulse exporters gain predictable access to the Chinese market through 2028. Investors in these sectors can plan around a longer period of stable market conditions.

The takeaway

Longer-term market access agreements give exporters room to plan investment and hiring. Businesses in agriculture and seafood should monitor outcomes from the APEC discussions for further changes.

What happens next

Canada and China will continue discussions on opportunities to expand trade, and the APEC Summit in China later this month will address tariff-free trade access.