Canadian Agriculture Campaign Addresses Global Food Supply Issues

An important harvest is quickly approaching — the fall of 2022. The world is looking at Canadian farmers, processors and exporters to take action and alleviate the growing pressure on the global food supply resulting from the invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global wheat production is 4.5 million tons lower than the 774.8 million recorded in 2021/22. Production in Ukraine is predicted to fall 11.5 million to 21.5 million tons because of the war, according to the USDA’s May World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).

The supply of grain in Ukraine is expected to drop 50%, with a 25% decrease in grain and oilseed exports from Russia due to trade restrictions and increased trade costs, according to a study by Wageningen University.

In response to this call to action, agriculture groups created the “Canada’s Ready” campaign. The grassroots public awareness campaign was launched to show the world that Canadian farmers, processors and exporters are willing to step up and provide support.

“Canada has committed to countries around the world that we would be there to help feed them in their time of need. Canadian growers are ready and have invested to meet this challenge,” said Kevin Auch, chair of Pulse Canada. “With the eyes of the world on our system, it’s time for increased transparency to prove we can deliver. We encourage growers to show their support by engaging online while getting this much needed crop in the bin and on its way to a world hungry for Canadian grain.”