In 2018 the Alberta Canola Producers commission estimated that 14,000 Alberta canola farmers harvested 6,710,000 acres and 6,392,000 tonnes of canola. The Canadian Canola Growers Association reports that Canada’s 2017 canola exports were valued at $11.4 billion and contributed $26.7 billion to the Canadian economy. These numbers demonstrate the high value of canola as an export crop.
China represents a large share of Canada’s export market for canola. In 2017, before the current dispute, Canada’s canola exports to China were valued at $3.6 billion, making it Canada’s number one export to China at the time. Beginning in March 2019, the Chinese government has been blocking the importation of Canadian canola. In response to this economically significant situation, RMA has written to the Government of Canada, addressing letters to:
- Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Honourable James Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification
- Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs
- The Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
- and all Members of Parliament for Alberta
RMA requested an emergency debate in the House of Commons to discuss the issue of China’s blocking of canola imports. Canola producers play an important role in their rural communities through the crops they produce. RMA looks forward to an informed debate and solution to this issue.
For enquiries, please contact:
Warren Noga
Policy Analyst
warren@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com