Reading Time: 3 minutes With no end in sight to China’s ban on their biggest money-making crop, Ottawa may have to offer financial aid to canola growers, says an ag trade expert. “There will likely be discussions of compensation for canola farmers,” said Sarah Pittman, a policy analyst with the Canada West Foundation in Calgary. “I’m not sure we […] Read more
Government aid may be needed for canola growers, says analyst
China situation will drag on and stocks of unsold canola will continue to mount, says trade expert
Trump, EU officials announce deal to sell more U.S. beef to Europe
Washington | Reuters – U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal on Friday to sell more American beef to Europe, a modest win for an administration that remains mired in a trade war with China, but he said tariffs on European auto exports remain a possibility. The European Commission has stressed that any beef deal […] Read more
Trade missions more valuable than ever, say Alberta producers
You have to show appreciation for customers and ask face to face how you can improve, says canola director
Reading Time: 3 minutes In times like these, friendship is more valuable than ever. “The mission was a direct result of the China (canola) ban,” said Alberta Canola director Andre Harpe, “When you lose part of your market, you have to make sure your other markets are OK.” Harpe was one of two Alberta producers who recently travelled to […] Read more
Japan beef buyers ease back a bit on purchases
Reading Time: < 1 minute After surging in January, beef sales to Japan slipped a little in February as buyers adjust to the new Trans-Pacific trade deal, says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. An initial tariff cut (to about 27 per cent from 38.5 per cent) in the new year saw beef sales more than triple in January to 3,545 tonnes […] Read more
United effort to overturn China’s canola ban, say industry leaders
Call for action has been heard ‘loud and clear,’ but there are no quick fixes, warn canola groups
Call for action has been heard ‘loud and clear,’ but there are no quick fixes, warn canola groups
Reading Time: 4 minutes Industry leaders say Ottawa is acting on farmers’ concerns, but are warning there won’t be a quick resolution to China’s de facto ban on Canadian canola seed imports. “Several actions have been taken by both industry and government in addressing this issue in the past month,” Canola Council of Canada president Jim Everson said during […] Read more
To store or sell canola? That is the question
As grain companies try to boost sales in other countries, growers ponder long-term storage
Reading Time: 4 minutes China’s ban on Canadian canola means that farmers have to take different strategies this year. Some are planning to store their canola on farm, while others are planning to sell. “Anything that has been ordered already, companies are honouring those canola contracts,” said Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association. “They’re pencilling […] Read more
What should we do now? Don’t panic, say canola analysts
‘Some opportunity ahead,’ says market watcher
Reading Time: 3 minutes China’s decision to stop buying Canadian canola has prompted some farmers to push the panic button — trying to sell what they have in their bins before things get any worse. But those calling FarmLink Marketing Solutions are being told to hold off on making any hasty moves. “This is a premium oilseed,” said Neil […] Read more
Beef exports to the European Union doubled last year
That growth is expected to continue as supply of EU eligible cattle grows
Reading Time: < 1 minute Year-end numbers for beef exports to the European Union show growth that is encouraging to Canadian and European farmers and ranchers alike. Canada exported 1,059 tonnes of beef to the EU last year, worth $15.5 million, according to Statistics Canada. That’s a 113 per cent increase in volume and 98 per cent increase in value […] Read more
Quick payoff from trade deal for beef producers
Beef exports to Japan triple in the first month after Trans-Pacific agreement
Reading Time: 3 minutes That didn’t take long. Hot on the heels of a new trade partnership, sales of Canadian beef to Japan skyrocketed in January, tripling the amount sold to the country compared to a month earlier. Japanese buyers snapped up 3,545 tonnes of Canadian beef in January — versus 1,282 tonnes in December and about 58 per […] Read more
Growers fear a China crisis over canola
Farmers are worried but quiet diplomacy is the best option, says Alberta Canola official
Reading Time: 3 minutes Wait and hope. And test. That’s about all Alberta canola growers can do as what appears to be political gamesmanship by China plays out. News that Canada’s biggest buyer of the oilseed had cancelled Richardson International’s registration to ship canola prompted worried producers to call the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. “At first it was kind of […] Read more
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