GFO seeks old trade relationships as relations between China-Canada ice over

GUELPH — With the U.S.-China trade war seeming to have no end in sight, the Grain Farmers of Ontario is taking some measures to protect its traditional markets.

Over the last two months the GFO has launched a two-pronged charm offensive targeted at the European Union, one of Ontario grain farmer’s largest markets before the trade war erupted. The EU remains Ontario’s largest export market for corn, and used to be the top market for soybeans as well. But after China cut off the U.S., Ontario soybeans changed direction.
Now, with relations growing increasingly icy between China and Canada, the GFO thought it prudent to make sure the EU hasn’t forgotten us.

The first prong was a trade visit to Brussels in Belgium, the headquarters for a number of European ag agencies, and a stopover in the UK, which relies on imports for 70 per cent of its grain needs. The ongoing separation of the UK from the EU — Brexit, for short — represents a potential opportunity for Ontario producers, said GFO market development manager Nicole Mackellar.

Four GFO members went to Europe: Chair Markus Haerle; Crosby Devitt, vice-president of strategic development; Mackellar; and Dr. Josh Cowan, manager of research and innovation.

The second prong was last month’s GFO invitation of ag journalists from Spain, the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands: All potential export markets for Ontario grain farmers.

The project was a 50-50 funding split between the GFO and the federal and provincial governments, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership and cost $54,314.