Market access allows the Canadian canola industry to earn the most value for our exports, growing an industry that’s already responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in revenue. To ensure the success story of Canadian canola continues, the Canola Council works to resolve market access issues in key markets around the world including:
United States
Our top market for canola oil and meal.
- Seed
- 561 thousand tonnes
- Oil
- 1.8 million tonnes
- Meal
- 3.4 million tonnes
- Annual export value
- $3.6 Billion CAD
China
Major market for canola seed.
- Seed
- 4.2 Million tonnes
- Oil
- 815 thousand tonnes
- Meal
- 1 Million tonnes
- Annual export value
- $3.6 Billion CAD
European Union
World leader in biodiesel.
- Seed
- 545 thousand tonnes
- Oil
- 18 thousand tonnes
- Meal
- 7 thousand tonnes
- Annual export value
- $307 Million CAD
Priority Areas
There are four key concerns that limit market access for our canola: tariffs, biotechnology, sustainability, and sanitary and phytosanitary.
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Biotechnology is regulated differently throughout the world. Slow or non-science based approvals of new biotech traits limit Canadian innovation and increase export risk.
Biotechnology Progress:
- China approved two new biotech traits, enabling innovation for Canadian growers.
- Advanced international low-level presence policies for approved biotech crops, reducing export risk.
- Commitments to prevent biotechnology related measures from being trade barriers included in the Canada-EU trade agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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Tariffs limit market access for Canadian canola by taxing our exports and making them more expensive for importers.
Tariffs Progress:
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): Transition to tariff-free environment for canola and canola products in the 11 CPTPP countries.
Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement: Preserves tariff-free access for canola and expands access for products like margarine in the U.S. and Mexico.
The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement: Tariff-free access for Canadian canola to South Korea.
Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Eliminates oil tariffs for European markets.
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SPS measures around concerns such as plant diseases and pesticide residues are in place to protect plant, animal and human health. However, when not based on science they unjustly limit market access.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Progress:
Encouraging on-farm practices that align with export requirements through the Keep it Clean program.
Implementing the memorandum of understanding with China on managing the risk of blackleg, including helping the industry make the best use of blackleg-resistant genes and helping growers reduce the incidence of blackleg in their fields.
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Some markets have stringent sustainability requirements. Entire markets can be closed off when the environmentally friendly practices of Canadian farmers are not recognized.
Sustainability Progress:
Secured sustainability certification for canola to access the EU biodiesel market.
Achieved eligibility for canola to be used as a biodiesel feedstock under the RFS2 in the U.S.
Industry Vision and Organization
Our industry’s strategic plan targets 26 million metric tonnes of sustained market demand and production by 2025. By continuing to strengthen our access to global markets we can earn the most value for our canola exports and capitalize on the world’s growing appetite for healthier oils and protein. We'll achieve this by continuing to work closely with government to establish stable and open trade relationships, and ensuring that the quality and production practices of our canola meets the requirements of our export markets.
Our market access approach relies on a clear organization of responsibilities, cooperation and a common commitment from both industry and government:
To learn more about the canola industry's market access strategy for the future, including progress, case studies and a more in-depth look at the four key priorities read: