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Importing  Agrifood Products under CETA

Agri-Food

In this section, Spanish importers can find relevant information that can facilitate the import of Canadian agri-food products to Spain.

CETA does not change any ongoing regulatory or sanitary requirements; all products exported to the EU must meet EU requirements.

Qualifying products under CETA product specific rules of origin (PSRO)

  • Meats obtained from animals born, raised and slaughtered in Canada

  • Grains, fruits and vegetables grown and harvested in Canada

  • Agricultural products produced in Canada using non-originating materials can be eligible for preferential tariff under CETA as long as they fulfill the product specific rules of origin (PSRO) under Annex 5 – Product-specific rules of origin.

CETA Tariff Rate Quotas

Under CETA, the European Union has established annual duty-free tariff-rate-quotas for several products: shrimp, cod, wheat, sweet corn, bison, beef and pork. Details can be found inAnnex 2-Aof the CETA Agreement.

Non-CETA related aspects to keep in mind when exporting agri-food products to the EU

  • Products for export to the EU must be produced in a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) licensed establishment. Includes fruits, vegetables or maple products.

  • Meat and meat products, fish, dairy and egg products and pet food must be produced in an EU approved facility.

  • For the export of most products, an export certificate must accompany the shipment.

  • If a product is genetically modified (GM) or contains ingredients that are GM, the GM trait must be authorized in the EU and the product must be labelled accordingly.

  • There may also be specific labelling requirements at the European Union Member State level or for specific products being sold in the EU market.

Under CETA, almost 94% of EU agriculture lines have become duty-free

  • Pet Food

  • Frozen French Fries

  • Sweet Dried Cranberries

  • Processed Pulses

  • Soybean and Canola oil

  • Prepared Vegetables

  • Fruit Juices (e.g. cranberry, blueberry)

  • Condiments/sauces

  • Maple Syrup

  • Fresh Cherries

  • Fresh Apples

* This is not an exhaustive list

Many EU lines will be progressively phased out over 7 Years (2024)

  • Durum Wheat (up to 148 €/tonne)

  • Rye & Barley Grain (up to 93 €/tonne)

  • Common Wheat, low-medium quality (up to 95 €/tonne)

  • Sweet Corn, frozen (5.10% + 9.40€/ 100kg)

  • Oats (89 €/tonne)

Under CETA, the EU has established annual duty free tariff rate quotas for fresh/chilled beef and veal and frozen/other beef and veal and pork. More information here.

Examples of products satisfying CETA rules of origin:

  • Products that are “wholly obtained”, being grown and harvested, in Canada. Such as, cereals, grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables.

  • Finished products produced or transformed in Canada using non-originating materials in accordance with the product-specific rules of origin. This includes using imported materials or ingredients in a Canadian product.

Registration for Agri-food Importers in Spain

If you are planning to import agri-food products to Spain, you must register under the Registro General Sanitario de Empresas Alimentarias y Alimentos (RGSEAA). It aims is to protect public health and consumer interests, facilitating the official control of the companies and establishments subject to registration under Article 2 of the Real Decreto 191/2011. This states that all food companies, even if they do not have a physical establishment, but want to import products from non-EU countries need to register.

If you are a Canadian exporter of agri-food, you may want to check this GUIDE for Canadian businesses.

Are you looking to import a Canadian product to Spain?

Are you interested in exporting a Canadian product to Spain?

Are you considering an investment in North America?

Get in contact with the Trade Commissioner Service at espana@international.gc.ca