November 20, 2017 – Today’s first official Canola Dialogue in Beijing capped off a string of successful events led by the Canola Council to grow and stabilize the Chinese market for canola. The Dialogue brought together Chinese and Canadian industry and government officials for a focused discussion on stable, open canola trade. The landmark event was during a mission of Canadian industry and government to China led by Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.
“We welcome Minister MacAulay’s engagement and leadership on this mission,” says Jim Everson, President of the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). “China is an important and valued export market for canola, and stronger trade ties facilitated through Minister MacAulay’s visit and events like the Canola Dialogue will help bring more stability to this growing market.”
The Canola Dialogue was a half-day seminar involving more than 60 participants including representation from the Chinese inspection agency, agriculture ministry, commerce ministry, biotechnology regulators and major importers. During the Dialogue, Minister MacAulay also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canola Council of Canada and China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA).
“This agreement signals the start of a new relationship with Chinese importers based on cooperation to support mutually beneficial trade,” says Everson. The MOU includes provisions such as communicating on regulations affecting trade and working together to facilitate industry meetings and exchanges.
In addition to co-hosting the Canola Dialogue, the CCC conducted several events during the mission including hosting a canola meal research seminar and canola oil media event with Minister MacAulay in Guangzhou.
The canola meal seminar brought together representatives from Chinese feed mills to learn about research completed on grower/finisher pigs, which demonstrated that canola meal-fed pigs grow as well as soybean meal-fed pigs. Dr. Martin Nyachoti from the University of Manitoba was also there to share his large body of research on feeding canola meal to pigs in all stages of production.
The canola oil event highlighted canola oil’s nutritional and health benefits to influencers, key opinion leaders and the media. This educational event included presentations by Chinese nutritional expert Dr. Nancy Liu on the health benefits of Canadian canola oil, Minister MacAulay on the importance of canola trade between Canada and China, and Chef Ken Liang who demonstrated how the attributes of canola fit wonderfully with Cantonese cuisine, one of the four major families of cuisine in China.
After the United States, China is the largest export market for canola and canola products worth $2.7 billion in 2016. China imported 4.8 million tonnes of Canadian canola in 2016 – including 3.5 million tonnes of seed, 600 thousand tonnes of oil and 660 thousand tonnes of meal.
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 – achieving 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025. This year, the Canola Council celebrates its 50th anniversary. Visit CanolaHistory.ca to learn more.
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Media may contact:
Heidi Dancho, Director, Communications
204-982-2108
danchoh@canolacouncil.org
