Ukraine has permitted imports of beef and pork from Canada without additional certification as part of preparations for the introduction of the free trade area between the two countries.

"Ukraine has approved beef and pork exports from any Canadian federally registered establishment that meets certification requirements," the Ministry Agriculture an Agri-Food of Canada reported.

The ministry said that following a successful inspection last September by Ukrainian authorities, 15 additional Canadian beef and pork establishments are now eligible to export, bringing the current total to 27.

The ministry said that i ndustry estimates access to the Ukrainian market for Canadian beef and pork to be worth up to $50 million annually.

Canada is committed to strengthening commercial ties with Ukraine and securing improved market access for Canadian exporters.

Canada and Ukraine are currently undertaking the legal review of the negotiated text of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA), and once signed, the parties can undertake their respective domestic implementation processes.

"Once fully implemented, the agreement will result in the elimination of all non-agricultural tariffs and the vast majority of Ukraine's agricultural tariffs, including on Canadian beef, certain pork, pulses, grains, fish and seafood, canola oil, processed foods, and animal feed," the ministry said.

Canada exported $35.7 million worth of agriculture and agri-food, and seafood products to Ukraine in 2014.

Total bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Ukraine averaged $293.3 million from 2012 to 2014, and is expected to expand by 19% as a result of the implementation of the CUFTA.