WINNIPEG — More grain was exported through the Port of Prince Rupert in 2024.
When compared to the 2023 calendar year, grain exports at the port were 26 per cent higher in 2024, the Prince Rupert Port Authority said in a January release.
“Following a strong crop year … over 4.5 million tonnes of western Canadian agricultural products (were exported through the port).”
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That’s a good sign for the port authority and Canadian grain farmers because the port has been under-used for the last few years.
In the four years from the 2017-18 crop year until the 2020-21 crop year, Prince Rupert handled about 5.3 million tonnes on average.
The 2021 drought in Western Canada hurt grain exports at all ports, including Prince Rupert.
In 2021-22, Prince Rupert only handled 2.4 million tonnes, said Warren Bohm, a researcher and analyst for Quorum Corp., which monitors grain movement in Western Canada.
“OK, it’s a blip, it was a short crop,” said Bohm.
“But it (Prince Rupert) hasn’t recovered since then.”
In the next two crop years, 4.5 million and 3.6 million tonnes of grain were exported through Prince Rupert, which is about 70 to 75 per cent of the grain volumes from 2017-18 to 2020-21.
The good news is that Prince Rupert has recovered, thanks to strong grain shipments since Aug. 1, 2024.
“This year is looking a lot more promising,” Bohm said.
“Year over year, they’re up 77 per cent as of January.”
The increase in volume could be related to robust canola exports to China last fall.
Final grain volumes at Prince Rupert will depend on the pace of exports from now until July 31.
Contact robert.arnason@producer.com
