The canola industry will be better positioned to tap new markets and increase existing ones as a result of a more than $1-million in spending by the federal government.
MP Randy Hoback made the announcement recently at the Canola Council of Canada’s summer meeting.
“Canola is a great Canadian success story and our growers are responsible for producing the world’s finest canola,” said Hoback. “By helping the industry enter new markets and maintain existing ones, this … will put more money into farmers’ pockets and help strengthen the entire economy.”
This money will allow the council to highlight Canadian canola’s superior health and quality characteristics, and will help it implement long-term international strategies, including market development.
“About 85 percent of canola grown in Canada is exported, so our marketing efforts are incredibly important to the health of our entire industry,” said Canola Council president JoAnne Buth.
In 2010, Canada exported more than 12 million metric tonnes of canola seed, oil, and meal worth more than $6-billion to markets including Japan, the U.S., Mexico, and China. Canada is the number one exporter of canola in the world.
This grant is provided through the $88-million AgriMarketing program, under Growing Forward, which helps industry associations implement long-term international strategies including activities such as international market development, industry-to-industry trade advocacy, and consumer awareness.
China deal
China has agreed to grant Canadian canola producers and exporters continued market access while the governments and industry continue to work towards finding a long term solution to a problem with blackleg.
“This is tremendous News for our canola producers and processors and is a testament to our strong and collaborative working relationship with China,” said Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz. “Continued access to the Chinese market for our world-class canola will put more money in our producers’ pockets.”
The announcement was part of an ongoing strategy to achieve a stable trading environment with China for Canadian canola. In 2009, exports of Canadian canola seed to China were impacted by import restrictions related to blackleg.
In cooperation with the government of Canada, the Canadian canola industry will continue to work with China to better understand and reduce impacts from blackleg on trade.
“We welcome China’s commitment to work in partnership to maintain trade in canola while jointly tackling research to reduce the threat of blackleg,” said Buth. “We thank Ministers Ritz and Fast and the government of Canada for achieving this extension.”
The interim commitment extends access to Canada’s most valuable canola export market. In the 2010 calendar year, canola product exports to China were worth $1.8-billion.
