Canada and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening agricultural and food sector cooperation during a bilateral meeting on October 18, 2026. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Paris.

Heath MacDonald, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Alois Rainer, Germany's Federal Minister of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, led the talks. Both sides emphasized their friendly relations and agreed to deepen constructive cooperation.

Focus on bioeconomics and trade

The ministers identified specific areas for expanded collaboration. Building on existing research partnerships, they will jointly explore opportunities in bioeconomics and trade in forest and agricultural products. This move aims to leverage mutual benefits within established frameworks.

Both nations committed to maintaining free and rules-based trade through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). They intend to utilize this agreement to expand trade relations in the agricultural and food sectors, ensuring advantages for producers and consumers in both countries.

Key outcomes of the meeting

The joint statement highlighted several strategic priorities:

• Reaffirmation of friendly bilateral relations
• Deepening cooperation in agricultural and food sectors
• Exploration of new areas in bioeconomics
• Enhanced trade in forest and agricultural products
• Commitment to rules-based trade under CETA

This engagement underscores the ongoing diplomatic and economic alignment between Canada and Germany in the agri-food domain.

National home sales in Canada declined 2.3% month-over-month in September 2026, marking a reversal after four months of modest progress. The drop reflects cooling demand driven by rising fixed mortgage rates and uncertainty regarding future Bank of Canada policy moves.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported that actual monthly activity stood 7.7% below September 2025 levels. Newly listed properties also fell 1.8% on a month-over-month basis, continuing a general decline in new supply observed since early 2025. Shaun Cathcart, CREA’s Senior Economist, noted that housing affordability remains stretched, prompting buyers to return to the sidelines amidst fresh economic uncertainty.

Price and inventory metrics

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) edged down 0.4% month-over-month and was down 3.4% year-over-year. The non-seasonally adjusted national average sale price fell 1.6% compared to September 2025, reaching $666,538. Inventory levels remained stable relative to long-term averages, with 4.9 months of supply on a national basis at the end of September.

Market balance and outlook

The national sales-to-new listings ratio eased to 48.8%, slightly below August’s 49.1% and well under the long-term average of 54.7%. This reading sits within the range generally considered consistent with balanced market conditions. Total active listings exceeded 200,000, up 1.8% from the previous year, holding steady at historical average levels since spring 2025.

What the numbers show

A divergence between falling sales volume and steady inventory levels suggests a market transitioning toward buyer leverage. While new listings declined 1.8%, total active inventory rose 1.8% year-over-year, indicating that properties are lingering on the market longer. The sales-to-new-listings ratio of 48.8% confirms that demand is softening faster than supply is being absorbed, granting prospective buyers greater negotiating power despite the ongoing price moderation.