July 11, 2019 – The joint investment of federal government and industry to support market access and development is critical to building canola’s value and growth potential for the future, says Canola Council of Canada (CCC) president Jim Everson.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announcement today from a farm near Airdrie, Alberta. The federal government investment of up to $3.8 million will allow the CCC to 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. It is being made through Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriMarketing Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
When combined with contributions from the canola industry, more than $7.6 million will be invested over the next three years. This initiative includes contributions from the Canadian Canola Growers Association on a brand development program aimed at building awareness and demand for canola oil and meal in emerging markets.
“The continued partnership of the federal government alongside industry is great news for the entire canola value chain,” says Everson. “Now more than ever, we need to invest and work together to create a positive trade environment and opportunities to diversify markets.”
More than 90% of Canadian canola is exported as seed, oil or meal. This funding will help the industry to maintain and grow access to international markets, as well as build the reputation of canola around the world through activities such as:
- Working with technical experts to have canola’s world-leading sustainability practices recognized so it can be freely used for biofuel in the U.S. and the EU.
- Building relations with our customers in Asian markets and their governments so that we address regulatory differences and concerns before they become market access issues that harm the industry.
- Conducting in-market research about our customers so that we’re strategic in how we maintain the canola brand and grow our reputation.
- Proactively working to ensure our canola meets the requirements of our export customers – such as our efforts through the Keep it Clean program.
Efforts will be focused on established and emerging global markets including the U.S., China, Mexico, Japan, the European Union, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.
The CCC 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 – achieving 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025.
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Media may contact:
Heidi Dancho, Director, Communications
204-982-2108
danchoh@canolacouncil.org
