Agricultural trade and trade issues is a key priority for the Provincial Government.

Saskatchewan’s top trading markets are the U-S, China, India, Japan, and Mexico.

Legislative Secretary for Trade and Export Development Everett Hindley had an opportunity to meet with the Consul General of Japan Mr. Kobayashi.

He notes Japan is a key market for the Province in 2017 exports to Japan were valued at $1.1 billion dollars with Agri-food exports accounting for about 99% of that.

“Saskatchewan is Japan’s leading supplier of wheat and canola seed – wheat at about 69% and Canola 52% of their total imports.   We also account for 62% of Japan’s mustard and 32% of its oat imports and we’re also the exclusive exporter of canaryseed to Japan.”

Hindley is optimistic that we’ll see even greater trade opportunities with Japan as a result of the recently signed CPTPP agreement.

Agricultural trade issues with China remain on Hindley’s radar.

It appears importers in China are demonstrating an unwillingness to buy Canadian Canola is a key concern for producers here.

China is one of Saskatchewan’s top export markets and canola is one of our key exports.

Hindley says they’ve been urging the Federal Government to turn the heat up on this one.

“This is a serious, serious concern for Saskatchewan producers in particular for our economy because as I said exports are so key for our province. It impacts us as a Provincial Government in terms of our economy but it impacts producers cropping decisions and you know at this time of the year it’s something that makes it very difficult for them.”

Canada's Agriculture Minister said last week that China has agreed to meet with Canadian scientists to discuss the canola dispute.