Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart is busy preparing for a trade mission to Japan (Nov 11-17) to promote market development and investment promotion.

He notes Japan is a very important agri-food market for us.

"It's our fourth largest market with exports of $976 million," he said. "Most recently it's our largest market for non-durum wheat in the world, fifth largest market for durum wheat and second largest market for canola seed right behind China."    

As part of his trip, Stewart will bring opening remarks to the Team Canada New Crop seminar and the Canola Council of Canada consultations taking place in Tokyo.

He also says trade with Japan is key for the province noting TPP-11 (eleven), the Trans-Pacific Partnership could be bigger for us than NAFTA.

"It's also a priority market for flax, oats, barley, malt and pork products," Stewart said. "If we were to become part of TPP, I see a huge opportunity for beef exports into Japan as well."