By Alice McFarlane

Growers and exporters relieved Chinese market open again to Canadian canola seed

May 19, 2022 | 10:45 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – China has lifted its restrictions on Canadian canola after a three-year trade dispute.

The federal government was advised that China reinstated market access for two Canadian canola companies.

In March 2019, the Chinese government blocked canola shipments from Richardson International and Viterra by suspending their licences. The move followed the arrest of Chinese tech giant Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver a few months earlier.

Canada requested World Trade Organization consultations with China in September 2019 over the issue. A WTO panel was composed in November 2021.

Before the trade tensions, the Chinese market made up 40 per cent of Canada’s canola exports.

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Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) welcomed China’s removal of restrictions on Canadian canola exports.

CCGA Chair Mike Ammeter said restored access is integral to the competitiveness of canola farmers.

“With 90 per cent of canola exported, open and predictable trade is fundamental to the success of the canola sector,” Ammeter said. “Farmers look forward to strengthening the Canada-China relationship and growing this important agriculture market for canola.”

CCGA thanked Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, Marie-Claude Bibeau and government officials involved in finding a solution.

Agri-food exporters were pleased the canola trade was China was going to once again be normalized.

Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) President Dan Darling said China is a significant export destination.

“Today’s news sends an important signal that food security is an issue that requires global solutions and cooperation,” Darling said. “Free and open trade is one of the best ways to ensure food remains plentiful around the world.”

Darling said exporters of all sizes are facing numerous challenges and the road to recovery will go through trade while also helping fight climate change and restore vitality in our supply and value chains.

CAFTA said it will continue working with government officials on other market access areas including the re-establishment of trade flows for beef and pork.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW