An important harvest is quickly approaching — the fall of 2022. The world is looking at Canadian farmers, processors and exporters to take action and alleviate the growing pressure on the global food supply resulting from the invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global wheat production is 4.5 million tons lower than the 774.8 million recorded in 2021/22. Production in Ukraine is predicted to fall 11.5 million to 21.5 million tons because of the war, according to the USDA’s May World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).
The supply of grain in Ukraine is expected to drop 50%, with a 25% decrease in grain and oilseed exports from Russia due to trade restrictions and increased trade costs, according to a study by Wageningen University.
In response to this call to action, agriculture groups created the “Canada’s Ready” campaign. The grassroots public awareness campaign was launched to show the world that Canadian farmers, processors and exporters are willing to step up and provide support.
“Canada has committed to countries around the world that we would be there to help feed them in their time of need. Canadian growers are ready and have invested to meet this challenge,” said Kevin Auch, chair of Pulse Canada. “With the eyes of the world on our system, it’s time for increased transparency to prove we can deliver. We encourage growers to show their support by engaging online while getting this much needed crop in the bin and on its way to a world hungry for Canadian grain.”
The campaign encourages agriculture industry workers to take part in the movement by taking pictures on the job and posting it online with the hashtag #CanadasReady, shared a release.
https://twitter.com/pulsecanada/status/1549799115751510016?s=20&t=R0pS7EkT5VB2JJIzUaRlbw
To prevent weak links in the agriculture supply chain, Canadian groups are asking for increased transparency within Canada’s shipping logistics systems. Canada’s two main railways must submit their grain plans for the 2022-23 year soon. The Canadian agriculture industry has created a four-point plan to guarantee that farmers, processors, exporters and consumers have confidence in the plans and Canada’s ability to deliver.
The plan includes:
- Offering detailed and transparent plans on how railways will transport grain based on the template given by the grain sector. “Container lines serving Canada must also step up and provide a clear indication of the expected capacity of their programs that will be made available each month for agriculture exports,” said the release.
- Establishing an Industry/Government Labor Council that will record the progress made in the collective agreement negotiations.
- Guaranteeing railways and container lines will supply monthly updates on capacity plans.
- Increasing support for extensive performance measurement programs to calculate how service providers are reaching their plans and outline enhancements that could be made for the future.
“Grain processors and exporters have consistently invested to expand Canada’s capacity to store and move grain. A large crop is expected and demand for Canadian grain is on the rise. By implementing our plan, we can show that Canada’s Ready to do what we do best — supply quality grain to consumers here at home and around the world,” concluded Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association.
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