The CCC and CCGA participated in the annual Tri-National Accord, which brings together state and provincial agriculture leaders from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to discuss agricultural trade and development issues.

The three signatories were Blayne Arthur (left), Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture, David Marit (centre), Saskatchewan’s Minister of Agriculture, and Octavio Jurado, CEO of the Mexican Association of Secretaries of Agriculture Development.

Canola in Saskatoon for the Tri-National Accord

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For the first time, industry organizations, including Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) and the Canola Council of Canada (CCC), were invited to participate in the annual Tri-National Accord. The 2023 Accord, the 32nd annual, brought state and provincial agriculture leaders from Canada, the United States and Mexico to Saskatoon in August to discuss agricultural trade and development issues.

“The Accord provided an excellent platform to collaborate with our trading partners, and highlight the importance of CUSMA [Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement] to farmers in Canada, the United States and Mexico, and discuss how to enhance trade and access to the innovations needed to grow high-quality, sustainable crops for North America and the world,” says Janelle Whitley, CCGA’s senior manager, trade and marketing policy.

CUSMA is the trade agreement that ensures tariff-free trade and strong economic ties among the three countries.

CCGA and CCC took the opportunity to use the Tri- National Accord to build relationships with two of canola’s top export markets and highlight the importance of clear, predictable rules of trade. Particularly, during government industry roundtables, both canola organizations spotlighted the importance of canola to the economy and the integrated North American market. Other key themes, included:

  • The instrumental role of CUSMA. The U.S. and Mexico are top markets for Canadian canola and canola-based products.
  • Timely, science-based, predictable regulatory frameworks to support innovative seed varieties, chemistries and beneficial management practices to help canola farmers further sustainability.
  • Modern farming practices, which preserve the competitiveness and viability of Canada’s agriculture sector to meet growing consumer demand.

“The North American market is vital for the Canadian canola industry. With canola exports to the U.S. and Mexico totaling approximately $8.6 billion in 2022, working with our partners to ensure a robust, transparent and timely science-based regulatory system as part of a predictable North American trading environment is essential to our long-term success,” says Chris Davison, CCC president and CEO. “The Tri-National Accord provides a unique venue to work with subnational partners across our three countries to advance Canadian canola industry priorities.”

The U.S. and Mexico rank one and three on the list of Canada’s top canola markets. The U.S. imported almost $7 billion in canola oil, meal and seed in 2022. Mexico imported around $1.6 billion, mostly seed.