Features Business & Policy Imports/Exports
Saskatchewan leads nation in agri-food exports

Feb. 15, 2013, Regina, SK - For the first time ever, Saskatchewan exported more than $11 billion in agri-food products in 2012, and remains the nation's top agri-food exporter. In total, Saskatchewan accounted for 23 percent of Canada's agri-food exports in 2012.

The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth includes a goal to increase agri-food exports to $15 billion by 2020. The record $11.1 billion in 2012 agri-food exports is an increase of nine per cent over 2011, and an increase of 75 per cent since 2007, representing a significant step in achieving this goal.

Agriculture continues to have a major impact on the province's economy, accounting for over one third of all provincial exports. Canola seed continues to be the top agri-food export at $2.7 billion in 2012. Canola seed exports have increased 25 percent since last year and 215 percent since 2007. Other top agri-food exports in 2012 included wheat ($2 billion), canola oil ($1.7 billion), durum ($1.2 billion) and lentils ($673 million).

The Saskatchewan government says it's been able to expand opportunities for producers to grow existing and emerging markets like India and China thanks to several trade missions where agriculture featured prominently.

Saskatchewan agri-food products provide the majority of the mustard found in France's Dijon mustard products, the majority of the oats in Cheerios cereal, and the majority of the world's entire trade of peas and canary seed. The top five markets for Saskatchewan agriculture products are the United States, China, Japan, Mexico and India. In 2012, 18 countries each purchased more than $100 million in Saskatchewan agri-food exports.

February 15, 2013  By Gov't of Saskatchewan