WINNIPEG — Steady end user demand and a lack of any problems from a logistics standpoint are keeping Canadian canola exports moving at a solid pace, but a repeat of the record business of 2013-14 is still unlikely.
“There is still some demand out there, but it’s probably not as strong as the beginning of the crop year,” said canola exporter Adrian Man, assistant vice-president of Asia Pacific at Richardson International.
He said the transportation and weather issues that caused some problems over the past winter were still a concern for buyers, which likely led to some front-loading of business this crop year.
Read Also
More canola among AAFC’s 2025/26 projections
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada made several upward adjustments to its supply and demand estimates, after including the data from the Statistics Canada production update earlier this month.
Canada has exported 3.14 million tonnes of canola during the 2014-15 (August-July) crop year as of Dec. 7, which compares with 2.75 million tonnes at the same point a year ago, according to Canadian Grain Commission data. Total exports for the year are currently forecast at 8.4 million tonnes by Agriculture Canada, which would compare with the record 9.01 million tonnes moved the previous year.
Regular customers are in the market making routine purchases, said Man, pointing to China, Mexico, Dubai and Pakistan. Overall, he described the export market as quiet with no major problems moving canola to speak of.
After the logistics issues of 2013-14, the lack of drama was welcome for exporters, but Man said the total export program would still likely be down slightly on the year given the smaller crop.
Activity in other oilseed markets, especially South American soybeans, will also be a factor in the canola export program in the coming months.
