(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Supply & Demand

Saskatchewan exports increase in 2018

Mar 13, 2019 | 12:02 PM

Saskatchewan global exports reached $31.2 billion last year which is an 11.2 per cent increase over 2017.

Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison said exports are critical to a healthy and growing provincial economy.

“Saskatchewan exporters are among the best in the world, and when provided with a level playing field, they can compete and succeed on the international stage,” Harrison said. “It is critical that governments at all levels support export infrastructure and maintain healthy relationships with governments in our key markets.”

Even with the uncertainty surrounding the renegotiation of the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement, the report from the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) said the total value of exports to the U.S. increased by 14.7 per cent to $17.3 billion. This maintains their position as the number one market for Saskatchewan products.

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Saskatchewan exports to China increased by 31.1 per cent to $4.6 billion in 2018. Japan, Brazil and Mexico rounded out the top five international market destinations.

On the downside, exports to India dropped 46.1 per cent in 2018 to $618 million due to the tariffs placed on the imports of peas and lentils. The total value of exports for these products fell by 87.2 percent and 83.0 per cent respectively.

STEP forecasts a four per cent increase in exports this year in line with Export Development Canada’s outlook for Saskatchewan.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @AliceMcF