Canola growers praise MOU but say federal action needed

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/05/2025 (310 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association is lauding last week’s memorandum of understanding between Manitoba and Ontario — but says producers need direct support from the federal government to stay afloat.

“This is the urgent message the canola sector is putting forward to government — farmers need support through this tumultuous trade situation and need direct compensation for the losses they face from politically driven trade barriers,” Manitoba Canola Growers Association executive director Delaney Burtnack told the Sun.

The Ontario-Manitoba agreement, which promises to boost economic collaboration and streamline the flow of agricultural goods between the two provinces, comes at a critical time for Manitoba’s canola sector, which has been facing mounting pressure from international trade tensions, particularly with China.

“We are excited to hear that a new MOU between Manitoba and Ontario will start to break down some of the domestic trade barriers that will bring greater opportunity and stability with a strong domestic market for all Canadian products,” Burtnack said.

But she added: “The tariffs on canola oil and meal are contributing to unprecedented trade uncertainty going into the 2025 seeding season.”

The MCGA is collaborating with the Canadian Canola Growers Association and Canola Council of Canada to push for federal engagement with China to resolve the impasse, she said.

The association confirmed many farmers are already locked into crop rotations and seed purchases, limiting their ability to pivot in response to volatile markets.

The key export products from the region affected by China’s tariffs are canola oil and meal. Canola seed is not included in the tariff regime.

In March, China announced retaliatory tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, including a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola and peas imports. The move is a response to the levies Ottawa introduced last October.

The Chinese commerce ministry said the tariffs, which took effect on March 20, match the 100 per cent and 25 per cent import duties Canada slapped on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products last year.

The association, along with national partners like the CCC, has long prioritized market diversification to reduce reliance on dominant markets such as China, Burtnack said.

Current efforts have focused on strengthening relationships with key international partners, including Japan, Mexico and the European Union, as well as exploring emerging opportunities across the Indo-Pacific region.

Beyond traditional export markets, the advocacy group is also investing in domestic value-added initiatives, such as the use of canola for biofuels, renewable plastics and even protein applications. Burtnack said the growing potential of these industries is part of a broader strategy to future-proof the sector.

While there are concerns about potential agronomic and economic challenges if farmers begin moving away from canola in significant numbers, Burtnack remains confident in the resilience and expertise of Manitoba’s producers.

“Farmers are experts in managing the long-term health of the crops, natural resources and businesses that they care for. We know and trust farmers’ expertise to make the decisions that are best for their farms,” she said.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola