China鈥檚 decision to impose a provisional 75.8 per cent anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola imports, effective Aug. 14, is a devastating blow to Alberta鈥檚 agriculture industry, says the province's minister of agriculture and irrigation.
"This comes on top of the existing 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil, canola oil cake and peas and threatens to cut Alberta producers out of one of their most valuable markets almost entirely," RJ Sigurdson said on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
鈥淐hina is Alberta鈥檚 second-largest agricultural export market, worth $2.4 billion in 2024, with canola, peas and pork making up $1.7 billion of that trade. Nearly 70 per cent of Alberta鈥檚 canola seed exports are destined for China, which is also the world鈥檚 largest importer of canola and sources nearly all its supply from Canada. Losing this market could have serious consequences for farm families, processing facilities and rural communities across our province."
The move by the Chinese government builds on its earlier retaliation in March, when it imposed 100% tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, alongside punitive measures on pork, seafood, and peas, in response to Ottawa鈥檚 2024 tariffs on Chinese EVs, steel, and aluminum.
鈥淎lberta鈥檚 farmers, ranchers and processors did not create this situation, yet they are paying the price," said Sigurdson.
"While we acknowledge Canada鈥檚 request for World Trade Organization dispute consultations over the March 20 tariffs, more urgent and active federal intervention is needed to resolve this dispute 鈥� an issue they created.
鈥淎lberta is once again calling on Ottawa to act swiftly, engage in constructive dialogue with China, and restore access to one of our most critical markets before more livelihoods are lost.鈥�
Gunter Jochum, President of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, said these tariffs are "a complete blindside" to farmers in the middle of harvest.
鈥淔or Western Canadian farmers, canola is our flagship crop. Losing China at this moment is like pulling the rug out from under us when we鈥檙e already running full tilt,鈥� said Jochum.
鈥淭his trend is happening far too often where Prairie farmers have been collateral damage in Ottawa鈥檚 trade fights. The government can鈥檛 keep pitting Eastern manufacturing and ill-conceived EV interests against Western agriculture and expect us to just absorb the hit. We need a national trade strategy that defends all sectors equally, not one that uses us as a bargaining chip.鈥�
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is calling for the following:
鈥� Immediate, high-level engagement with Beijing to suspend or roll back the provisional duties.
鈥� Appointment of a dedicated agricultural trade envoy to prevent farm products from being targeted in political disputes.
鈥� A renewed commitment to diversifying export markets to reduce dependency on single-country buyers.
