Canada loses market share to Australia in traditional markets such as Japan, Mexico and the European Union
Canola futures traded in the range of $600 to $700 per tonne for the first 10 months of 2024. It was a wild ride with fund managers holding the reins. They held a net short position in canola futures the entire time, keeping a lid on prices. Other stories in the Canola Yearbook 2024: Their […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Canola remains a Prairie economic powerhouse
Canola continues to contribute to Canada’s economy in a big way, according to a new study. It generated an estimated $22.54 billion in direct economic activity in 2022-23, which is slightly more than double the impact from a decade earlier. Other stories in the Canola Yearbook 2024: The sector supported more than 60,000 jobs and […] Read more
Prairies expect warm, wet weather this winter
Meterologist says forecasts for the region are less reliable this season because an expected La Nina failed to materialize
SASKATOON — John Baranick’s weather forecast comes with the caveat that he has low confidence in the outlook. That’s because after months of anticipation, the La Nina weather event has failed to develop. Related stories: “That big driver is not there,” said DTN’s agricultural meteorologist. It is an odd situation because last winter’s weather was […] Read more
Russia’s troubled winter wheat may move prices
The crop has a higher risk of winterkill because of plants' already weakened condition and may have trouble recovering
SASKATOON — Winter wheat crops have deteriorated in Russia but are improving in the United States and the European Union. An estimated 37.2 per cent of Russia’s crop is rated in poor condition versus four per cent last year and the five-year average of 7.3 per cent. Related stories: It is the worst rating in […] Read more
U.S. ethanol exports to Canada soar
SASKATOON — Canada could be the saviour of the corn market, says an analyst. Scott Irwin, an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois, said the corn ethanol market in the United States is under duress from electric vehicles and other factors. Related stories: Fortunately, the shrinking domestic market for the biofuel is being offset […] Read more
Canola, oats particularly vulnerable to tariffs
Ninety-seven percent of Canadian canola oil and 83 per cent of oat exports have headed to the United States recently
SASKATOON — The Canola Council of Canada is taking U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s threat of a 25 percent import tariff seriously. “When you’ve got a new government coming into your number one market and they’re talking about imposing tariffs, it’s not something to be ignored,” said council president Chris Davison. Related stories: “But at the […] Read more
Used cooking oil seen as canola risk
SASKATOON — The importation of biofuel made from Chinese used cooking oil threatens the domestic market for Canadian canola, says an industry executive. “It’s a big deal,” said Chris Vervaet, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association, which represents most of the crushers operating in Canada. Related stories: “It’s potentially displacing a lot of […] Read more
China’s soybean plans appear to come up short
The country has used subsidies to encourage farmers to grow more of the crop, but the results have not been impressive
SASKATOON — China’s attempt to become more self-sufficient in soybeans is fizzling, according to an analyst. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ 2021-25 five-year plan set a target of boosting production of the oilseed to 23 million tonnes by 2025, according to Dim Sums, an anonymous blog about China’s agricultural economy. Related stories: That […] Read more
Former negotiator urges calm on tariffs
SASKATOON — Canada’s chief negotiator of the North American Free Trade Agreement has a message for those concerned about Donald Trump’s latest salvo. “Don’t panic,” says John Weekes. Related stories: The president-elect of the United States recently announced on his Truth Social media platform that he will slap a 25 per cent import tariff on […] Read more
Biofuel use makes big jump
SASKATOON — Biofuel consumption has surged following implementation of Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations, according to a new report. Ethanol consumption was up 13 per cent in 2023 to four billion litres per year, renewable diesel consumption more than doubled to 1.2 billion litres and biodiesel was up 14 per cent to 530 million litres. Related […] Read more
