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 per cent of Canada's agri-food exports in 2012.
"Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers continue to provide safe, reliable and high quality agri-food products here at home and around the world," Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart says.
"Our government continues to invest in areas such as market development and research to create opportunities for our producers to increase our agriculture exports in the future."
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 per cent since last year and 215 per cent 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).
"We have 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," Minister responsible for Trade Tim McMillan adds. "We will continue our work to secure improved access and ensure Saskatchewan's agri-food exports benefit from the growing demand in these markets."
Saskatchewan agri-food products have a larger reach than ever before, providing 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, making Saskatchewan agriculture one of the most significant providers of food around the world.
