Saskatchewan set record in 2020 for agricultural exports

Saskatchewan farmers helped the province set a record in 2020.

According to the provincial government, Saskatchewan reached an all-time high with $16.9 billion in agricultural exports last year — a 31 per cent increase from 2019.

Canola seed, non-durum wheat, lentils, canola oil and durum wheat were the province’s leading agricultural exports in 2020. The United States, China, Japan, India and Mexico were the top markets for agri-food exports from Saskatchewan.

“Saskatchewan producers grow safe, high-quality food that the world needs and our agriculture exporters remain committed to providing the world with these products,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a media release.

“I want to commend our producers on their hard work and resilience, which led to a new record in agri-food exports for 2020.”

Value-added exports such as canola oil, canola meal and processed oats added $3.2 billion to the province’s total.

The agricultural exports accounted for more than 55 per cent of the province’s total exports in 2020. Those were valued at $30.4 billion.

Saskatchewan recorded a 2.5 per cent increase in overall merchandise export sales in 2020, the largest percentage increase among the provinces last year.

Farm and intermediate food products, forestry products, building and packaging materials, and industrial machinery, equipment and parts were among the exports that showed the most growth in the province in 2020.