Prairie province is tops in agri-food exports

Regina, Sask. – Canada’s breadbasket province continues to lead the nation in agri-food exports.

Not that it’s only about bread and wheat. In 2012, in fact, Saskatchewan exported more than $11 billion in agri-food products and remains the country’s top agri-food exporter.

In total, Saskatchewan accounted for 23 per cent of Canada’s agri-food exports in 2012.

Tim McMillan, the minister responsible for Trade, says part of the province’s success can be attributed to trade missions.

“We have been able to expand opportunities for producers to grow existing and emerging markets like India and China thanks to several trade missions where agriculture featured prominently,” he says.

“We will continue our work to secure improved access and ensure Saskatchewan’s agri-food exports benefit from the growing demand in these markets.”

Saskatchewan has a plan for growth

The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth includes a goal to increase agri-food exports to $15 billion by 2020.

The record $11.1 billion in 2012 agri-food exports is an increase of nine per cent over 2011, and an increase of 75 per cent since 2007, representing a significant step in achieving this goal.

Agriculture continues to have a major impact on the province’s economy, accounting for over one third of all provincial exports.

Canola seed continues to be the top agri-food export at $2.7 billion in 2012.  Canola seed exports have increased 25 per cent since last year and 215 per cent since 2007.

Other top agri-food exports in 2012 included wheat ($2 billion), canola oil ($1.7 billion), durum ($1.2 billion) and lentils ($673 million).