By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Friday February 24, 2023

Feb 24, 2023 | 9:41 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – For the first time in Saskatchewan’s history, trade to Mexico in 2022 exceeded $1 billion with 97 per cent of that coming from agri-food exports.

Canola oil, canola seed and non-durum wheat make up the top three exports. Canola seed made up 54.5 per cent of total exports to Mexico, with a total value of over $557 million.

Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said the province has been sharing Saskatchewan’s story around the world, and the world is listening.

“Advancing Saskatchewan’s trade interests while strengthening existing partnerships benefits all of Saskatchewan,” Harrison said. “As an export-dependent province, this work is integral to grow our economy, create jobs and drive growth that works for everyone.”

The single biggest increase last year was canola oil with exports up over 79 per cent compared to 2021.

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Representatives from Soy Canada recently returned from their first in person mission since 2019.

The mission connected the soy industry with customers in Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Soy Canada Executive Director Brian Innes said there’s nothing like being face-to-face to share and understand how Canadian soy delivers value to their customers.

“The enthusiasm we saw this year shows the value of our market development investment and how we can grow the value of our industry in the future,” Innes said.

From Feb. 8-16, a delegation of 26 Canadian representatives met with more than 220 current and potential customers to develop markets for Canadian soybeans.

Exporter and producer members of Soy Canada heard firsthand the quality specifications customers are looking for when purchasing soybeans, visited manufacturing facilities to see how Canadian soybeans are processed, and shared how the latest developments in the Canadian soybean industry provide value for customers.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is looking at how it can provide targeted aid to farmers who are struggling with inflation.

Trudeau, who made the comments at a meeting with farmers at the headquarters of Quebec’s farmer’s association, the L’Union des producteurs agricoles in Longueuil, said he wants to ensure that any aid for farmers doesn’t make inflation worse.

He said that while inflation has started to slow, the government wants to ensure farmers and others who are struggling can hold on for the next six months to a year.

Daniel Lebelle, a dairy and grain farmer from the Centre-du-Quebec region, told the prime minister that his costs have risen 40 per cent since inflation began to rise.

Cattle and blueberry farmer Yves Laurencelle said while it’s fine if assistance is targeted, farmers can’t afford to wait.

He said it’s not just a business issue, it’s also emotional because when a farm goes bankrupt, farmers often lose the land worked by their parents and grandparents.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW