File photo of a pedestrian crossing in front of the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in 2019.

Opinion: Canada’s work to reform WTO is good sign

The world trade order is wonky and floundering and needs leadership

Canada’s efforts to reform the World Trade Organization are commendable. It is apparent more countries are deciding to turn inward rather than focusing on multilateral trade relationships. The United States, India, Italy and others have all taken actions domestically that have negatively impacted the ability of Canadian farmers to enter those markets. Canadian Agri-Food Trade […] Read more

The U.K. has been talking to several countries about trade deals since it left the European Union.

Frustration rises over Canada’s pursuit of trade deal with U.K.

The European trade deal has not been as lucrative for Canada as expected

Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is expressing frustration over the pace at which Canada is engaging the United Kingdom over a post-Brexit free trade deal. Why it matters: Canada is an export-dependent country, so trade agreements provide a measure of economic security and market access. Steve Verheul, assistant deputy minister of trade […] Read more

Corn is delivered to an elevator in Iowa. Increasing corn demand could help push up prices.

Crop price fundamentals improve based on demand, especially from China

The American dollar has lost value, making U.S. soy and corn more competitive

Ontario farmers had harvested approximately 50 per cent of the winter wheat as of July 26. We’re forecasting an average yield of 78 bushels per acre, down from the five-year average of 82 bushels per acre. Farmers in the western regions are reporting above average yields while early reports are below average in the eastern […] Read more

Emerging corn plants in Ontario.

Brazilian currency drop, China purchase of U.S. soy weighs on Ontario demand

Ethanol production increases again as global economy slowly improves

Ontario farmers had planted 75 per cent of the corn crop and approximately 48 per cent of the soybean crop as of May 17. Over the past 30 days, the Ontario crop region has received less than 60 per cent of normal precipitation and temperatures have been five to 10 degrees Celsius below normal. While […] Read more

Ports in Europe and South America are shipping at various rates due to distancing requirements and employee challenges.

Global grain supply chains hit with Minor COVID-19 snags

Commodities continue to move well in the United States and Canada

World grain and oilseed markets are digesting the March 31 United States Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings report while balancing demand implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quick look Soybeans: If demand continues, soybean carry-out should be lower in 2020. Corn: Market encouraging demand through lower prices. Wheat: Ontairo milling wheat supplies continue to be very […] Read more


Signed trade deals that were supposed to benefit Canadian farmers have failed to deliver.

Trade deals not working well enough for farmers

Government continues to look for multilateral deals

Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s top trade warriors have strongly underlined their commitment to fight for fair treatment of Canadian farm products in the global marketplace. But the growing exasperation of the agriculture industry with the obstructionist antics of foreign trading partners was evident during the Canadian Crops Convention. Signed trade deals that once seemed to […] Read more

Soybean exports to China have plummeted to 2.5 per cent of normal since Canada arrested a Chinese business executive in 2018.

Soybean growers feel abandoned by Ottawa

Sector accuses the federal government of focusing on canola, beef and pork while turning a blind eye to soybeans

Glacier FarmMedia – Ron Davidson was outraged when he read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. The prime minister had issued a series of mandate letters on Dec. 13 that serve as the marching orders for the ministers in his newly elected government. Bibeau’s letter told her to “develop additional […] Read more

There were 9.2 billion litres of dairy production in Canada in 2019.

Dairy farmers look forward to CUSMA compensation

Federal agriculture minister says the funds will come, but no timeline has been set

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau again committed to offering compensation to dairy farmers as a result of the CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) deal. She told an audience at the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) annual policy conference in Ottawa Feb. 4-6, that supply management is a “social contract” that needs protecting. Why it matters: Dairy […] Read more


Brexit might not mean much for Canadian farmers

Brexit might not mean much for Canadian farmers

A new U.K. agreement unlikely to be better than CETA access

Glacier FarmMedia – The United Kingdom says it will seek a stronger commercial relationship with Canada after it leaves the European Union than it currently has under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Andy Barr, head of trade and economics at the British High Commission in Canada, is optimistic a better trade […] Read more

Darci Vetter says American policy is harsh on farmers there.

American trade policy remaking world economy

Many parts of it will be detrimental to American trade over the long term, says former negotiator

There are several ways the United States is losing by focusing on a nationalist trade agenda and balancing trade in every way, says a former U.S. chief agriculture trade negotiator. Darci Vetter, who is now vice chair, Agriculture, Food and Trade with Edelman, told the recent Arrell Food Summit that that’s borne out in the […] Read more