Canada - Federal investment supports canola’s value and access to global markets

Continued industry-government partnership on market access and development activities is integral to driving canola’s value and industry growth, says Jim Everson, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) president.

In support of this important partnership, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced today federal government investment of more than $1.8 million through the AgriMarketing Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. When combined with contributions from the canola industry, up to $3.6 million will be invested over the next two years to help CCC make progress on two of the canola industry’s Keep it Coming 2025 strategic priorities: differentiated value in the marketplace, and stable and open trade.

“This joint investment is great news for the entire canola value chain as we focus on the needs and challenges of a dynamic and evolving global trade environment,” says Everson. “Canola is an important driver of the Canadian economy, and this investment will help ensure the canola industry is leading the way towards the federal government’s objective of $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025.”

More than 90 per cent of Canadian canola is exported as seed, oil or meal. This funding will help the industry proactively address and resolve trade barriers in international markets, foster market diversification, as well as build the value and reputation of canola around the world through activities such as:

• Seeking full recognition of Canadian canola’s world-leading sustainability practices so that canola can generate the most value as a low-carbon renewable feedstock.

• Building relations with our customers and their governments to address trade inhibiting practices before they become market access issues.

• Engaging with existing and potential customers in key markets to demonstrate the latest research-backed benefits, quality characteristics and reliable supply of canola seed, oil and meal.

• Conducting in-market research and outreach to support canola’s brand as a healthy oil and high quality, versatile meal, and address changing market demands.

• Proactively working to ensure our canola meets the requirements of our export customers – such as efforts through the Keep it Clean program and monitoring potential risks in major export markets.

Efforts will be focused on established and emerging global markets including the U.S., China, Mexico, Japan, the European Union, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.

The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. Keep it Coming 2025 is the strategic plan to ensure the canola industry’s continued growth, demand, stability and success – targeting 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025.