Alberta Canola applauds China deal, calls for greater domestic consumption

Canadian canola is shut out no more in China, and Alberta Canola is letting out a sigh of relief.

“It was a bit of a sleepless night at the end of the day, but in the morning we were extremely happy we were able to reduce the tariffs on Canadian canola,” said Andre Harpe, chair for Alberta Canola.

Canada expects its second-largest trading partner to lower combined tariff levels to 15 per cent from 84 per cent and remove anti-discrimination tariffs from canola meal, peas and seafood.

Harpe said when they saw agriculture minister Heath Macdonald and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on the trip, it seemed like a good indication a deal was in the works.

“We also realize international trade is international trade and until the announcement came up, I was on pins and needles,” Harpe said.

Need for domestic market

Harpe said the past rollercoaster year of trade with China has reinforced the need for a domestic market to insulate from future trade wars.

“We can’t let this happen again. We have to work on how to increase our domestic market through biofuels,” Harpe said.

Alberta Canola will continue talks on the topic with the Alberta and federal governments.

Harpe added that the tariff situation with China was created politically. However, the Carney administration seems to be working hard to right the wrong.

“We are very appreciative of it,” he said.

There are 14,000 farmers in Alberta who grow canola on 6.7 million acres according to Alberta Canola stats. In Alberta, canola production rose 13.4 per cent to 6.3 million tonnes, according to Nov. 2025 numbers.