‘Uncertainty always lowers the price’: Tariffs a burden on prairie canola farmers

Tariffs on Canadian canola will be a further burden on family farms throughout the prairies, a national agricultural organization says.

Tariffs on Canadian canola will be a further burden on family farms throughout the Prairies, a national agricultural organization says.

The concerns come as China has imposes heavy tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal — to the tune of 100 per cent — in addition to 25 per cent duty on products like seafood and pork.

The move is in response to Canada’s own tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, as well as aluminum and steel products.

Grain Growers of Canada executive director Kyle Larkin told 680 CJOB’s Connecting Winnipeg that family farms are already struggling due to issues ranging from increased costs for fertilizer and pesticides, as well as more taxation and regulations from the government.

“When grain farming is impacted, the whole sector is impacted and that means the entire Canadian economy is impacted,” Larkin said.

“Your regular family in Winnipeg may be thinking, ‘Why does a 100 per cent tariff on canola… impact me? It’s only impacting grain farmers.’ Well, it’s impacting the entire Canadian economy.”

Larkin said while some farmers do have the option to change their crops, it’s not that easy — they still have to consider issues like crop rotation, as well as the demand for canola.

Having a trade war on two fronts — with tariffs on various products coming from the United States as well as those imposed by China — is putting stress on the agriculture industry, he said.