A trade delegation for Asia is set to leave on Saturday (September 6).
The focus of the trip is on relationship building and trade engagement with government officials and industry stakeholders in China, Japan and South Korea. China imposed a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed last month on top of tariffs already in place for canola oil, meal, peas, pork and seafood.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is leading the delegation that includes his Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding, and Prime Minister Carney's Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois.
Moe says Saskatchewan has expressed urgency to the federal government and been clear that we need to see action now to support the over 200,000 people across Canada's canola industry.
He points out that the Chinese leg of the trade mission will focus on meetings with government officials and industry stakeholders as they work to reinforce future trade opportunities and engage with China on these temporary duties before it's too late.
"Our goal is to actually bring that conversation forward of what a positive trading relationship can actually do for the Chinese economy and opportunities in China being part of their food and maybe even their fuel supply chain."
Moe says regaining access to global markets is the answer Canadian canola producers are looking for.
"If we are able to have that access, there's no need for the canola industry, producers to be asking for or requesting supports from our federal government. That's not our initial ask or our initial want or the environment that I think the ag industry wants to operate in any way, shape or form."
This is the first time a Canadian Premier has conducted a trade mission to China in six years.
While the Premier is in China his Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding will lead a mission to South Korea from September 6th to 9th, and then join Moe for the Japanese mission.
He points out his focus will be on deepening Saskatchewan's ties with international food, agriculture and energy industry stakeholders while showcasing the advantages of doing business in the province.
"As we continue to diversify our export markets, we see a lot of opportunity in both Japan and South Korea. Our government is working hard to navigate ongoing trade challenges, and our international trade and investment offices are the vital resource that will guide us through. We are committed to missions such as these because they bring back real results to the citizens of our province."
As Premier Moe prepares to leave for China - the Ministry of Commerce (in China) has announced that it will extend its anti-dumping probe on Canadian canola seed for another six months, until March 9th. However, the preliminary duty of 75.8 percent of canola seed remains in place.
The Asian market is key for Saskatchewan and the country as a whole. Stats show that in 2024, Saskatchewan's exports to Asia exceeded $10 billion. Exports to China totaled $4.4 billion, South Korea comes in at $162 million, while exports to Japan total $929 million.
Kaeding says the ASEAN region is an area that is both growing in population, but also growing in economic wealth.
"When you see that kind of growth, they're able to afford more products, better products, and certainly willing to look at all the agri-food components that we produce here in Saskatchewan. So the ASEAN area is certainly one, so that's Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, India, Japan, Korea."
He points out it will take many countries to fill part of the gap being left by China, noting he feels we could see interest not just in moving our agri-food products but potash as well.
"The other area that we also see emerging demand from is areas that were in the past using Russia as a supply. And now that they know that they need to look and divest of their supply agreements with Russia, they're looking for a safer, more secure, dependable partner. And that is definitely what they're going to get from Saskatchewan and certainly from Canada."