Canola Council of Canada Sets 2025 Target
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) announced its new target for Canada’s canola industry Thursday, in Winnipeg Manitoba. Its goal is to increase production of canola to 26 million tonnes and 52 bushels per acre by the year 2025. That’s a 40 per cent increase.
CCC has even launched a website called “Keep it Coming 2025,” with the tagline “52 by 2025”. "These are bold targets, no doubt about it," said Terry Youzwa, Chairman of the CCC Board of Directors. "But we believe that it can be done, and it can be done responsibly and sustainably.”
Youzwa said the industry has outlined three priorities to achieve its new goal based on sustainability and scientific research, target marketing, and gaining market access to new trade opportunities. The industry believes that growing a larger crop can be achieved through improved yields. Coupled with better yields, good marketing and open trade, it’s a recipe for success. Trade is especially important. Currently, 85 per cent of Canada’s canola crop is exported.
While it’s an ambitious goal, the industry has a good track record on delivering on its promises. The canola industry grew seven million tonnes in 2007, and hit the 15 million tonnes mark earlier than its target date of 2015. In 2013, canola was a bumper crop with 19.8 million tonnes. Indeed, the western Canada crop has averaged 15 million tonnes per year for the past three years.
Canola is known as Canada’s crop. It was developed from rapeseed in Manitoba in the 1970s. Over the years, the crop has grown in popularity among farmers. Today, there are 43,000 Canadian canola growers.
"Every additional bushel of canola represents an opportunity to make our agricultural sector stronger," said Youzwa.”We've grown from a niche crop to an industry leader generating $19.3 billion in economic activity every year, and we know we can do even more."