Biotech Updates

Canada to Increase Canola Oil Export to China

December 11, 2009

Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz asured China that it will increase canola oil imports by an additional 200,000 tonnes for a total of 350,000 tonnes in 2010. The Canola Council of Canada estimates these increased sales will be worth $180 million. This assurance was forwarded during a meeting with Bao Kexin, the CEO and President of Sinograin, China's state-owned organization responsible for national reserves of grains and edible oil.

Minister Ritz said that Canadian farmers have the capacity to produce a consistent supply of canola and new canola crushing plants allow the increase in the volume of canola oil available for export.

For the press release from Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada see http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/index_e.php?s1=n&s2=2009&page=n91205