b'EASING CANADA- WHEN MAIZEX SEEDS made the announcement in 2025 that it was entering the Alberta canola market, it did so with a long-term view, one that assumed volatility in global CHINA TRADEtrade but remained confident in canolas enduring role in Western Canadian agriculture.Recent developments in Canada-China trade relations TENSIONSare now reinforcing that outlook.Stephen Denys, director of market and product develop-ment for Maizex Seeds, says the newly announced agree-BENEFITS CANOLAment easing trade tensions with China is an encouraging signal for the entire canola value chain.Its certainly positive, Denys says. I think many of DEVELOPERS us in the industry felt there was a definitive need to make friends with one of the big international players, whether that was the U.S. or Chinaand certainly China today Maizex Seeds Stephen Denys, CAFTAsseems a bit more stable.Michael Harvey weigh in on what liftedEntering the Market Through UncertaintyMaizexs move into Alberta last fall coincided with one of tariffs mean for exporters, growers, andthe most turbulent periods in recent canola trade his-tory, as China imposed restrictions on Canadian canola continued investment in genetics. seed. While the timing added uncertainty, Denys said the By Marc Zienkiewicz, Seed World Canada Senior Editor companys investment was never based on short-term trade conditions.Our decision to enter the canola market was based on a long-term view, he said. We understood there would be ups and downs in trade relationships, but that the long-term potential for canola was very strong.Denys points to canolas central role on the Prairies and its place in a globally competitive oilseed complex as reasons Maizex remained confident despite short-term disruptions.Its a strong, healthy oil complex that has a place in the world, he says. Even when the relationship with China wasnt good, we knew there would be resolution at some point.A Trade Reset That Matters on the GroundThe recent agreement between Canada and China includes the removal of tariffs on Canadian canola seed, an outcome that Denys believes has immediate and sym-bolic importance for growers and seed developers alike.To get that resolved is a big deal for agriculture, and in particular for Western Canada from an export perspective, he says. Its very positive news.Denys said the development validates the belief that Michael Harvey is executiveStephen Denys is directorcanola will continue to see strong global demand and director of the Canadian of market and productongoing innovation.Agri-Food Trade Alliance. development for Maizex Seeds.4 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA MARCH 2026'