Regina, SK – Escalating trade disputes have prompted the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) to sound the alarm over the increasing pressures facing Saskatchewan’s farm families.
Saskatchewan's agricultural producers are grappling with unparalleled uncertainty amid tariffs imposed by China and implied by the United States, are threatening their economic stability and livelihoods.
Bill Prybylski, APAS President, highlights the dire situation, “Our agricultural sector faces serious threats. These trade disputes are causing tangible economic hardships and anxiety among farmers, who are dedicated to producing high quality food for global consumption.”
Trade tensions combined with the cancellation of strategic projects are unsettling the agricultural community. The Chinese government's introduction of a 100% tariff on Canadian canola oil, meal, and pork, jeopardizes a crucial export channel worth nearly $5 billion in 2024 and threatens the income of canola and pork producers throughout Saskatchewan.
Additionally, the potential imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian agricultural products by the United States adds another layer of uncertainty. The ongoing threat disrupts long-standing trade relationships, causing widespread concern among producers reliant on these markets. As Canada's primary agricultural trading partner, any turbulence with the U.S. will have far-reaching implications.
Provincially, the merger between Bunge and Viterra raises fears of reduced competition in grain purchasing, which could depress crop prices and further threaten farm profitability. Moreover, Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL)'s decision to withdraw from its renewable diesel facility and canola crush project stalls efforts to add value to Saskatchewan's canola production, hindering market diversification opportunities for producers.
Prybylski outlines the challenges, "We're confronted with a series of complex and unprecedented threats to our industry. The retaliatory tariffs from China, ongoing uncertainties in U.S. trade relations, halted value-added processing initiatives, and Canadian supply chain bottlenecks leave farmers exceedingly vulnerable."
Given the scale and complexity of these challenges, there is a pressing need for strategic guidance from the provincial government in the upcoming provincial budget. The agriculture community holds its collective breath, hoping for decisive actions that will help mitigate the adverse impacts of these global trade tensions and provincial economic shifts.
"We need our government to stand up for Saskatchewan producers and defend our interests," Prybylski emphasizes. "The livelihood of Saskatchewan farm families is at stake. We need a swift and effective response to mitigate the damage and ensure the long-term viability of our agricultural industry".
To help educate and prepare for these uncertainties, APAS and seven other Saskatchewan farm groups will host the Saskatchewan Ag Summit on March 27, 2025, in Saskatoon. This event will tackle the pressing issues of trade among other critical concerns facing the province's agriculture sector. Registration is open to all Saskatchewan farmers at no cost.
APAS urges solidarity and a concerted effort to identify new global markets, underlining the importance of defending Saskatchewan's agricultural prospects and supporting North American prosperity in alignment with CUSMA principles.
For more information, please contact:
APAS Communications by email at communications@apas.ca
