Canada’s canola sector sees the U.S. sustainable aviation fuel market as a medium- to long-term opportunity, but many technical details have yet to be sorted out when it comes to determining what potential feedstocks will be eligible to service that market.  |  File photo

Hurdles remain for canola as U.S. SAF production grows

Government says sustainable aviation fuel production and imports increased to 52 million gallons in the first half of 2024

SASKATOON — The United States is making progress on its ambitious sustainable aviation fuel target, which could help bolster the country’s demand for imported canola oil. President Joe Biden’s administration set a target of producing three billion gallons of SAF by 2030. Related stories: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that the country had […] Read more

Proposed ammendments to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard include a 20 per cent cap on the amount of biomass-based diesel (biodiesel and renewable diesel) that can be made from soybean and canola oil. | File photo

California shocks canola sector

SASKATOON — Canada’s canola processors have been blindsided by proposed amendments to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. “We’re surprised and disappointed with what they’re proposing,” said Chris Vervaet, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association. Related stories: The California Air Resource Board (CARB) published its proposed amendments Aug. 12. They include a 20 per […] Read more

The good news is that canola-based SAF qualifies for the base blender's credit of US$1.25 per gallon because it was previously approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an eligible feedstock. The bad news is that it does not qualify for the additional 50 cent per gallon blender's credit that is up for grabs. | File photo

Canola feels there is room for improvement in U.S. SAF tax credit

The industry plans to continue lobbying the U.S. government for better access to the sustainable aviation fuel program

SASKATOON — Canada’s canola industry had a mixed reaction to new sustainable aviation fuel tax credit guidelines coming out of the United States. The good news is that canola-based SAF qualifies for the base blender’s credit of US$1.25 per gallon because it was previously approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an eligible feedstock. […] Read more


“When the facility is fully operational it will transform canola and other seed oils into renewable diesel that is lower in emissions than conventional fuels," said RJ Sigurdson, provincial minister of agriculture and irrigation. "To make this happen, Imperial will be sourcing most of its feedstock from canola producers right here in the province.” | File photo

Renewable diesel facility to run on Alberta canola

Imperial receives 12 per cent tax credit for Strathcona-based agri-processor

Glacier FarmMedia – The Imperial Strathcona Refinery in Alberta is receiving a 12 per cent tax credit for its $720 million under-construction canola-based renewable diesel facility that is said to need millions of tonnes of canola seed per year. The credit comes from the Province of Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit, which offers a 12 […] Read more

The Canadian Fuels Association (CFA) applauded the government for announcing up to $1.7 billion in support for the biofuel sector.  | Reuters photo

Budget supports biofuel

SASKATOON — Canada’s biofuel groups and oilseed crushers are pleased with what it saw in the federal government’s 2024 budget. “The best way to describe it is they’ve got the right tools in the box,” said Doug Hooper, director of policy and regulation with Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC). Related stories: The Canadian Fuels Association (CFA) […] Read more


"Project delays in 2023, 2024 and into 2025 have slowed the growth of crush capacity," the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) stated in a recent report. |  Getty Images

Coming canola crush capacity delayed

SASKATOON — Canada’s canola crush buildout is not going as smoothly as planned, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Project delays in 2023, 2024 and into 2025 have slowed the growth of crush capacity,” the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) stated in a recent report. Related stories: Capacity is expected to reach 10.26 million […] Read more

The amount of UCO being imported into the United States has surprised everyone, including the U.S. government. Imports in 2023 were large enough to produce 600 million gallons of the fuel. | Reuters photo

Used cooking oil amount proves surprising

SASKATOON — Canada’s canola oil is facing stiff competition from used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow in renewable diesel markets. The amount of UCO being imported into the United States has surprised everyone, including the U.S. government. Imports in 2023 were large enough to produce 600 million gallons of the fuel. Related stories: That exceeds […] Read more

“A lot of work has been done by the industry and the grower associations to try and make it as streamlined as possible,” Brian Conn, vice-chair of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA), said during a recent webinar. | File photo

Farmers promised easy Clean Fuel Regulations process

Industry says producers selling canola into new market will require only declaration that the crop was grown in Canada

SASKATOON — Selling canola into the market created by Canada’s new Clean Fuel Regulations will not be onerous, according to a crush industry executive. “A lot of work has been done by the industry and the grower associations to try and make it as streamlined as possible,” Brian Conn, vice-chair of the Canadian Oilseed Processors […] Read more


"We're pretty confident there's going to be something in the [federal government's] Fall Economic Statement, but we'll see next week," said Ian Thomson, president of Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC).  |  Getty Images

Biofuel sector hopes for sign from feds

Editor’s note: This story was updated with a link to the federal government’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement on Wednesday November 22, 2023 – the day following its release. Canada’s biofuel and oilseed sectors will be closely scrutinizing the federal government’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement. They hope the Nov. 21 statement provides some indication how Ottawa […] Read more

Approximately 349 million people in 82 countries face food insecurity and 50 million are on the brink of famine.  |  Reuters/Joel Kouam photo

Global food security concerns continue to rise

Producers say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and questionable government policies are threatening world food stocks

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Disruption is threatening both food security and the farmers who produce that food, panelists from Europe and North America said at a recent conference. For decades, said Ted Bilyea, special adviser to the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, farmers have been dealing with the challenges of abundance. They worried about productivity growing faster […] Read more