Agri-Food Trade Policy

Canada - Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA)

The Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) was implemented on January 1, 1997. The agreement improves market access for agri-food products of export interest to both Canada and Israel and eliminates virtually all tariffs on industrial goods. It has partially restored Canada's competitive position in the Israeli market where the United States and European Union had gained preferential access through negotiated bilateral agreements. In 1999, under existing provisions within CIFTA to further liberalize trade, Canada and Israel began negotiations to expand the list of agricultural and food products under the Agreement. Canada and Israel agreed at the outset of this round of bilateral negotiations to exclude the products of the dairy, eggs and poultry sectors.

On November 1, 2003, Canada and Israel implemented additional agricultural tariff concessions, which will assist Canadian exporters in maintaining their competitive position vis-à-vis exports from other countries, and secure long-term opportunities for Canadian agri-food products. After negotiations were concluded, Canada and Israel agreed again to enter into further discussions within two years, to seek additional means of expanding the scope of liberalized trade in agriculture and agri-food products between the two parties.

On October 9, 2010, exploratory talks to expand the CIFTA were announced, and followed by several exploratory meetings with the most recent held on January 18, 2012.
Including tariff preferences implemented on November 2003, the CIFTA applies to approximately 82% of Canadian exports to Israel. In 2011, the total two-way trade in agriculture and agri-food products between Canada and Israel was $72 million. In 2011, Canada's main agricultural exports to Israel were canola seed, pulses (lentils, chickpeas), undenatured alcohol and pet food.


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For more information, please contact:

Denis Landreville
Lead Negotiator (Regional Agreements)
Telephone: 613-773-1761
Fax: 613-773-1755
E-mail: denis.landreville@agr.gc.ca