Mexico, Europe tabbed for new Manitoba trade offices

The Manitoba government will soon employ trade representatives in Mexico and Europe, adding to its growing global network.

It announced the two new positions Thursday afternoon.

Business Minister Jamie Moses wasn’t available for an interview. In a news release, he said the hires reiterate “our government’s commitment to diversifying our trade partners.”

A Europe representative will focus on the United Kingdom and Western European markets, the release says.

The hiring process should take at least two months. Afterwards, the contracts will last one year with the option to extend, according to a government spokesperson.

The province has slated $150,000 for each new role, the spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Manitoba has lagged behind fellow provinces in opening trade offices abroad. The government committed, in a 2025 strategy, to employing more such representatives to bolster trade.

It has previously announced an India position and established a Washington, D.C., office.

“These new positions will allow us to have a physical presence, to be able to build the case for Manitoba,” Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday.

Mexico and Europe likely won’t be the last trade representative announcements. Leaders have sought places where they can “find success quickly” since they can’t open everywhere at once, said Remillard, who’s on the premier’s business and jobs council.

Manitoba has direct rail access to Mexico.

The country was Manitoba’s fourth-largest export market in the January-March quarter. It consumed 3.9 per cent of the province’s exports — $169.7 million worth of goods, up 4.3 per cent from the previous year.

It’s a “key and growing market” for Manitoba agri-food products, a May provincial government trade paper says.

Pork, canola oil, canola seeds, prepared potatoes and wheat marked the top exports to Mexico last year. The country accounted for seven per cent of Manitoba’s agri-food exports between 2021 and 2025.

The United Kingdom didn’t crack Manitoba’s top 10 export markets in the first quarter of 2026. The only European country to do so was the Netherlands; it received $46.6 million worth of Manitoba goods from January through March.

Trade with the Netherlands dropped 2.2 per cent year-over-year. Still, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany are among the top 10 countries importing into Manitoba.

“There’s strong growth potential within the U.K. and the European market,” Remillard said. “As a bloc, it represents a significant consumer base.”

Canada and the Europe Union have a free trade agreement Manitoba companies can build upon, Remillard added.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has signalled a desire for more trade with the continent. Earlier this month, he chose a German company for new submarines.

Manitoba’s U.S. trade representative made headlines for his take-home pay. In July, CBC reported the province has tabbed $1 million for the U.S. office, exceeding the $800,000 budget it had publicly stated.

Meanwhile, the government is reviewing applications for an India representative, a spokesperson said.

The United States will remain Manitoba’s largest trading partner for the “foreseeable future,” Remillard said.

The U.S. consumed 65.4 per cent of Manitoba’s exports in January through March and accounted for 76.3 per cent of the province’s imports.

“We’re diversifying to expand and reduce … over-reliance on one market,” Remillard said. “It’s just good business practice to not put all your eggs in one basket.”

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce will work on directing membership, and developing programming that aligns with the new trade landscape, Remillard said.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com