Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson will travel to Morelia, Michoacán, next week to represent the province at the 34th Tri-National Agricultural Accord, a gathering focused on boosting agricultural cooperation among Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The three-day meeting, running Oct. 16 to 18, brings together senior agricultural officials and industry representatives to discuss trade growth, market access and rural development across the continent. Sigurdson will join the Canadian delegation to promote Alberta’s export sector and explore opportunities for expanding into new and emerging North American markets.

Agriculture remains a major driver of Alberta’s economy, with agri-food exports valued at $17.5 billion in 2024. The United States remains Alberta’s top trading partner for agricultural goods, while Mexico ranks fourth. Last year, Alberta exported $9.3 billion in products to the U.S., an increase of four per cent from 2023. Exports to Mexico reached $571.6 million, primarily in beef, canola seed and wheat.

Sigurdson is expected to meet with key U.S. and Mexican officials to promote Alberta’s reputation for producing high-quality food products. The government says the visit reinforces the province’s commitment to maintaining strong trade relationships and creating new opportunities for producers and processors.

The accord also serves as a precursor to next year’s event, which Alberta will host in Calgary in 2026. Canada’s delegation this year includes representatives from six provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island.

Trade figures highlight the significance of North American agricultural cooperation. In 2024, total agricultural trade between Canada and the U.S. reached nearly $96 billion. Alberta’s imports from Mexico, worth $481.6 million, were dominated by fruits and vegetables, which made up more than 80 per cent of total shipments.