Story Posted: April 09, 2009

Saskatchewan Canola Industry Leading Agriculture Economic Activity

Regina... Canola in Saskatchewan delivers $5 billion in overall economic impact and generates thousand of jobs in the province. The Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) brought the good news to the Legislature today.

"With $ 2 billion in farm cash receipts to more than 25,000 registered Saskatchewan canola producers in 2008 and new processing and research and development facilities scheduled to come on stream by 2010, the canola industry is vibrant and is poised to lead Saskatchewan's agricultural activity," Catherine Folkersen, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, stated.

"Saskatchewan is North America's largest canola producer. Last year a new record of 7.7 million acres were seeded. These acres have produced tremendous financial returns to our farmers, their communities and our economy," Folkersen said.

Increasing canola production has not only attracted new processing businesses, but has allowed existing processing operations to expand. By 2010, four major crushing facilities will be operating in Saskatchewan to service the demand for canola world wide and two new specialized protein processing facilities will be providing specialized products to a growing export market.

In addition, research and development companies are relocating and centralizing their operations in Saskatchewan; expanding research capabilities for crop science that will benefit and enhance canola farming opportunities and business.

Spurring production is an extensive export market place for Saskatchewan and Canadian canola, which has also set new records.

"Within the first six months of the 2008-2009 crop year, the CCC reported sales of 3.55 tonnes of canola, an estimated 800,000 tonnes ahead of sales from the previous year. China is the main difference, having already imported more than one million tonnes this current year," Dave Hickling, Vice-President Canola Utilization for CCC, stated.

"The quality and quantity of the 2008 the Saskatchewan and Canadian canola crop were impressive. Total Canadian production was 12.64 million tonnes, with an average yield of 34.7 bushels per acre. The average oil content of the canola seed was a near record high of 44.3 percent," Hickling said.

Canola meal exports have also risen, especially to California which has become a major importer of canola meal for its dairy industry. The specific health and nutrition qualities that canola oil has are exciting and its use is gaining significant market share in the U.S. and Canada.

"The outlook for the Saskatchewan canola industry on all fronts is dynamic. We are proud to be a part of a thriving Canadian agriculture success story," Folkersen concluded.

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