China, EU account for upswing in Canadian grain, oilseed exports

Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm — Exports of Canadian oilseeds and grains for 2024/25 largely continued to be ahead of those a year ago, monthly data from the Canadian Grain Commission showed. Bulk exports through licensed facilities during the first three months of the current marketing year are more than 12.22 million tonnes, which compares with approximately 10.33 million the same time last year.

Increases in canola exports, especially to China, accounted for much of the growth so far this year. The CGC reported total canola exports were about 3.03 million tonnes, improving on the 1.58 million a year ago. China has taken in about 2.29 million tonnes at this point in 2024/25, versus the 1.01 million by last October.

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With threats of Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, the trade suspects the country’s buyers have been frontloading. In early September, Chinese authorities announced an investigation into alleged canola dumping by Canada. The move was seen as retaliatory for the Canadian government slapping a 100 per cent tariff on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, as well as sharp hikes on levies for steel and aluminum imports.

Canada’s number two canola customer, Japan, upped its imports of the oilseed as well. So far in 2024/25, Japan as taken in 310,400 tonnes compared to 277,300 the same time last year.

Other sharp hikes include the European Union, with its members acquiring 126,700 tonnes so far this marketing year compared to 42,500 a year ago, and those to the United Arab Emirates have shot up to 122,000 tonnes versus 37,400.

The EU has also boosted its durum imports from Canada, at 295,500 tonnes through October, with Italy accounting for more than 89 per cent of those purchases. By October last year, Italy had acquired all of the EU’s imports at 149,700 tonnes. Total durum exports of 916,800 tonnes through were 35 per cent on the year.

Exports of non-durum wheat as of October, at 4.78 million tonnes, were down from 5.26 million in 2023/24.

China deeply cut its wheat imports from Canada, at 211,900 tonnes this year versus 536,400 a year ago.

Canadian corn exports witnessed a strong upswing, reaching 293,800 tonnes versus 86,800 a year ago. The EU accounted for the increase, particularly Ireland. Of the 268,400 tonnes imported by the EU, 237,900 have gone through Ireland. At this point last year the EU took in 71,400 tonnes.