As part of Canada’s efforts to double bilateral trade with China and grow global agri-food exports to C$75 billion by 2025, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, is leading trade mission across some of China’s most important economic hubs. With a population of 1.4 billion people, and a growing appetite for high-quality Canadian food products, the Chinese market offers significant opportunities for Canadian agriculture producers and processors.
Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada. |
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,” said Everson. “The MOU includes provisions such as communicating on regulations affecting trade and working together to facilitate industry meetings and exchanges.”
Photo courtesy of Canola Council of Canada.
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 U.S., China is the largest export market for canola and canola products. China imported 4.8 million tonnes of Canadian canola in 2016 – including 3.5 million tonnes of seed, 600,000 tonnes of oil and 660,000 tonnes of meal.
Lawrence MacAulay, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister. |
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 tonnes by the year 2025.