The repeal of U.S. country of origin labeling on pork and the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership were big moves in trade for Canada's pork sector in 2015.

Manitoba Pork general manager Andrew Dickson says trade deals are like the TPP are important for Canadian pork to be competitive in the world market.

"The big thing will all these agreements is to make sure we're at the same table with the Americans and that when these import taxes that are being negotiated down, we get the same rates as our major competitors, such as the United States. We don't want to be out of sync," he says.

Dickson says if the U.S. ratifies the deal and Canada does not, it would mean Canada could face disadvantages on products going to other Pacific Rim countries, similar to what happened in the trade deal with South Korea.