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A deal to keep Chinese tariffs off Canadian canola meal and pea imports is a relief for farmers in Saskatchewan.
In March, the federal government crafted a plan with Beijing for levy-free trade on canola meal, peas, lobster and fish. The agreement was set to expire in January, but has now been extended to the end of 2028.
Read more:
- Beijing, Ottawa agree to extend deal on canola, Chinese steel access to late 2028
- Saskatchewan seeks trade progress with U.S and China
- Saskatchewan highways could soon be painted with home-grown canola oil
The contract allows certain Chinese steel and aluminum products to be imported into Canada without tariffs.
Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan’s minister of trade and export development, said the deal is important to the agriculture industry.
“I talked to a number of producers,” he said.
“They are certainly very pleased with the idea that they at least have a two-year extension.”
Kaeding said farmers may be able to create a better road map for next year’s growing season after the announcement on Wednesday.
“Producers are now going into the spring with a bit of confidence,” he said.
China’s remaining barriers on Canada’s canola sector include a 14.9 per cent tariff on canola seed and 100 per cent tariff on canola oil.
Kaeding said bargaining to eliminate tariffs is brought up at every opportunity when meeting with Chinese delegations.
“Folks on both sides of the negotiating table understand what tariffs mean to producers and to industry,” he said.
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan said it welcomed the extension.
“Access to reliable export markets helps farmers make decisions with greater confidence, whether that’s marketing their crops, planning future production, making investments on the farm, or supporting Saskatchewan’s growing value-added processing sector. Greater certainty benefits the entire agricultural value chain,” Bill Prybylski, the organization’s president, said in a statement.
Prybylski said the priority for governments should now be restoring full market access for canola exports.
