Member Statement (11 April 2024)

From Hansard (11 April 2024)

 

International Trade Offices Result in Significant Agri-Food Exports

Mr. Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is really going to shatter the opposition’s economic narrative. Our international trade offices are continuing to show their success. The value of our agri-food exports to Vietnam has tripled to $46 million.

Just as an example, in 2022 export value of non-durum wheat to Vietnam had a value of $3.7 million. In 2023 non-durum wheat exports were valued at $40.6 million. Non-durum wheat was Saskatchewan’s largest agri-food export in 2023, rising to a total of $3.7 billion in worldwide exports. Other top exports to Vietnam include peas and purebred swine.

Mr. Speaker, our trade offices put in the work to make sure our producers have the right connections to ensure they get the best value for their products. Their work attracts Vietnamese stakeholders to attend events like Agribition, which allow our producers to show off their world-class products.

Mr. Speaker, we’re very proud of the work being done by our international trade offices, but the opposition doesn’t care. The member from Regina University described those working, these offices as “. . . cushy foreign patronage postings with little to show for the shrouded work.”

Mr. Speaker, we know that if the NDP were ever back in power, they would crash our economy. This government will continue to build on our economy, support rural communities, and help provide opportunities for the people and producers of this province.

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