The USDA building in Washington, D.C. (Art Wager/iStock/Getty Images)

Global wheat production to decrease, USDA says

MarketsFarm — In the latest supply and demand report from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the global wheat forecast was revised downward due to difficult weather conditions. USDA has now projected 765.53 million tonnes of wheat to be produced in 2019-20, according to the department’s world agriculture supply and demand estimates (WASDE), released Thursday. That’s […] Read more

Can sustainable agriculture practices offer a direct line to Europe?

Can sustainable agriculture practices offer a direct line to Europe?

Sustainability programs offer assurance to European buyers, but they can mean more work for producers

Mention the word “certification” to farmers and all they hear is “more paperwork.” But Grain Farmers of Ontario says such programs really spell improved market access. In fact, they will be critical to reaching important markets, such as the European Union. The good news is sustainability programs have already been enjoying some success in Canada. […] Read more

britain meat case

Editorial: Lessons from the European market

There are opportunities in Europe for Canadian agriculture and food products, but we have to learn to play their game if we want a piece of the lucrative export market. I recently spent a couple of weeks in Europe visiting relatives and travelling with family. When travelling we make our own meals when we can, […] Read more

File photo of fresh cherries from a roadside fruit stand at Penticton, B.C. (Amy Mitchell/iStock/Getty Images)

New EU import curbs on fruit not Canada-specific

Ottawa | Reuters — New European Union rules that could block shipments of Canadian cherries and other fruits to the 28-nation grouping apply to all countries and “was not unusual,” a senior Canadian official said on Friday. The clarification from federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau came a day after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) […] Read more

File photo of fresh cherries from a roadside fruit stand at Penticton, B.C. (Amy Mitchell/iStock/Getty Images)

EU set to halt imports of Canadian cherries, other fruits

Ottawa | Reuters — The European Union will halt imports of Canadian cherries and other fresh fruits starting Sept. 1 as it enforces new import requirements related to pests, according to a Canadian government document sent to industry on Thursday. In the notice, which was seen by Reuters, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the […] Read more


A zoning agreement could allow pigs from an area of the country that isn’t affected by disease to continue exporting.

Canada, EU agree to zoning rules on African swine fever

Zoning principles were already in place through CETA, and what will change is unclear

Glacier FarmMedia – Canada and Europe have agreed to new zoning arrangements in case African swine fever is discovered in Canada, but it’s not clear what will actually change. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announcement in early July. The agreement would allow for safe trade of swine products from disease-free zones […] Read more


The launch event for the FAO/OECD Agricultural Outlook 2019-2028 was held recently at FAO headquarters in Rome.

Swine fever in China among risks to food markets

World monitors of food say global demand will continue to increase

Reuters – The spread of a deadly pig disease in China that has disrupted the world’s biggest pork market is one of the major risks to a well-supplied global agricultural sector, the FAO and OECD said during a recent report. African swine fever was highlighted in the annual agricultural outlook for 2019-2028 from the Food […] Read more


A macrophage (immune response) cell in early stages of infection with African swine fever virus, magnified about 1,000x. (Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Canada, EU agree to swine fever zoning rules

Canada and Europe have agreed to new zoning arrangements in a case of African swine fever outbreak, but it’s not clear what will actually change. The agreement, which Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced Wednesday. would allow for safe trade of swine products from disease-free zones if a case of ASF is found. Zoning principles applying […] Read more

EU flags in front of the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. (Jorisvo/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S., Canada, 14 others slam EU farm product regulation at WTO

Geneva | Reuters — The United States and 15 other countries launched a broadside of criticism at the European Union on Thursday, saying its “hazard-based” approach to regulating pesticides and other “critical tools” used by farmers was damaging livelihoods worldwide. Their statement, submitted to the World Trade Organization, said the EU’s approach created great uncertainty […] Read more