Canadian potato farmers are preparing to tap into the Mexican market following a new trade agreement. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Mexico's Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) have reached an agreement to allow shipments of fresh Canadian potatoes for consumption or processing into Mexico. This move marks a significant expansion of market opportunities for Canadian producers.
Currently, Canada's potato trade with Mexico is primarily composed of frozen potatoes and processed products like frozen fries. In 2024-25, Canada exported approximately 55,526 tonnes of frozen potatoes to Mexico, valued at $77.7 million, but very few fresh potatoes. According to Mike von Massow, a food economist at the University of Guelph, the limited fresh potato sales were due to differing health standards. This new agreement harmonizes those standards, paving the way for increased trade in fresh potatoes.
The agreement is a result of ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural cooperation between Canada and Mexico. Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald visited Mexico in October, and further discussions occurred during a trade mission in February, both aimed at boosting agricultural trade under the Canada-Mexico 2025-2028 Action Plan. Minister MacDonald stated that increasing interest in Canadian goods reflects the high standards of the Canadian agricultural sector.
This development is expected to benefit Canadian farmers, who currently export the vast majority of their fresh potatoes to the United States. In 2024-25, 93% of Canada's fresh potato exports went to the U. S. The agreement with Mexico diversifies Canada's export market and reduces reliance on a single trading partner. Canada is the world’s fifth-largest potato crop behind canola, wheat, soybeans, and corn.
