The grain sector is a key driver of Canada’s economic growth, exporting 20.5 million tonnes of wheat in 2017 and $21 billion in exports sales.
Today, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of up to $6.2 million to help the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) expand the market for Canadian wheat through technical support, market research, employee exchanges and customized training for customers and commercial partners in over 50 countries.
This project, funded through the AgriMarketing Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will enable Cigi to strengthen relations with buyers and prevent future market access issues, while expanding existing markets and developing new opportunities around the world.
Today’s announcement is part of Bibeau’s first agricultural tour. Bibeau is meeting with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participate in local agricultural events, to highlight strategic federal agricultural investments and programs and how they will help to build an even stronger and more innovative sector for Canada.
The tour began on March 11 in Vernon, British Columbia and ends today in Winnipeg, Manitoba with stops in Kelowna, B.C. and Calgary, Alberta.
Quick facts
- The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
- In 2017, Canada’s grain sector exported 20.5 million tonnes of wheat.
- The Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) is a not for profit organization established in 1972 to work with the grain and field crop value chain throughout Canada and internationally to drive the development and increase the use of Canadian agricultural products.
- This funding was made under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriMarketing Program: National Industry Association (NIA) Component, a five-year, up to $121 M federal initiative that aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities.
