Japan and its consumers are continuing their love affair with canola._x000D_
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This week, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Canola Council of Canada (CCC) president Patti Miller held meetings with key grain industry organizations in Tokyo, including the Japan Oilseed Processors Association (JOPA). The meetings focused on the importance of Japan as a canola customer, food security and the importance of ratifying the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in both countries._x000D_
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“We welcome Minister MacAulay’s engagement with Japan’s agricultural industry,” says Patti Miller, president of the CCC. “Japan is one of our most stable and high-value markets for Canadian canola exports, and Minister MacAulay’s visit reflects the importance of our relationship with Japan.”_x000D_
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For decades, Canada’s canola industry has been a reliable supplier of high quality canola to Japan. Today, Japan remains the second largest importer of canola seed and a vital canola customer. In 2015, Canada exported a total of 1.9 million tonnes of canola seed valued at $1.1 billion to Japan._x000D_
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Canola is currently the number one edible oil in Japan. The elimination of canola oil tariffs to Japan through the ratification of the TPP is extremely important to the Canadian industry and is an opportunity to diversify product supply to help meet Japan’s food security needs._x000D_
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“We cherish and value our long-standing relationship with Japan through an open dialogue,” says Miller. “The Canada-Japan Canola Consultations are a great example of how we’ve maintained and supported our mutually beneficial relationship.”_x000D_
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Since 1976, this bi-annual event is held every July in Canada and in Japan each November with Japanese oilseed processors and importer organizations (JOPA and JOFIEA – the Japan Oil & Fat Importers and Exporters Association). This forum provides exporters, suppliers and customers an opportunity to openly discuss issues related to crop progress, quality and any potential challenges in meeting Japan’s needs.
