China drops crippling duties on Canadian canola seed
China effectively shut the door to Canadian canola seed this week.
It imposed preliminary 75.8 per cent duties on the oilseed – purportedly due to complaints of dumping. This adds to 100 per cent duties on canola oil and meal.
The Canadian Canola Growers Association said the tariff will have an immediate and substantive impacts on farmers and their ability to market their 2025 canola crop.
Farmers are now left to wonder how they’ll pay the bills said Saskatchewan farmer Chris Procyk. The crop is within a few days or weeks of harvesting, and selling the crop quickly can be vital for paying off inputs bought on credit.
To some extent, Canadian canola exports were poised to pull back anyway due to limited supplies said analyst Mike Jubinville. Trade was penciling in a 2.5 million tonne reduction, said analyst Phil Speiss. However, with China out of the market, other buyers will know they can snap up canola at lower prices.
Futures fell as much as 6.5 per cent after the announcement on Tuesday.
Alberta Beef Producers plan exit from Canadian Cattle Association
Alberta Beef Producers announced this week it will withdraw from the Canadian Cattle Association next year.
The producer group said the decision came after extensive review. It said the Canadian Cattle Association doesn’t meet its high standards for fiscal transparency, governance and communications, and doesn’t seem set to change.
Alberta Beef currently funds more than half of the national group’s budget through the $2 Alberta service charge. Its withdrawal won’t affect funding to the Canadian Beef Check-off Agency or its service providers.
AI-powered greenhouse making most of desire to shop Canadian
Haven Greens, Canada’s first fully-automated AI-powered greenhouse, is looking to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. produce.
The greenhouse sits near King City, outside of Toronto.
The operation uses a Mobile Gully System, which guides gutters of plants through the cultivation stages using belts, robotic arms and RFID technology. Each gutter holds red and green lettuce, arugula and mustard seeds. After two days in a germination chamber, the gutters shuffle to the climate and light-controlled growing environment. The mixed greens aren’t touched by humans until they’ve been packaged.
CEO Jay Willmot said desire for Canadian produce has boosted demand in the wake of U.S. tariff threats. Haven Greens is set to double its footprint from five acres to 10. Willmot said five acres could produce around two million kilos of greens per year.
