Released on February 8, 2016
Agri-food exports reach $15.1 billion in 2015, exceeding the 2020 Growth Plan target.Saskatchewan is once again leading the nation, holding strong as Canada’s top agri-food exporting province. For the fifth straight year, the province has set a record with total sales of $15.1 billion.
In 2015, Saskatchewan exceeded the ambitious target laid out in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth. The provincial goal was to export $15 billion of agricultural and agri-food products by 2020. A total of $15.1 billion worth of agriculture products left our province in 2015, meeting the demand of 145 countries around the world. This is an increase of eight per cent from 2014 and a 136 per cent increase since 2007.
“Agriculture is the foundation of our province and remains a prominent economic driver, supporting our provincial finances as we deal with the downturn in the resource sector,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. “We were confident the industry would meet our Growth Plan target by 2020 but our farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses have once again exceeded our expectations and reached the target five years ahead of schedule.”
Saskatchewan produces a number of agriculture and agri-food products that are in demand across the globe. The Government of Saskatchewan remains focused on market development and trade advocacy to ensure the high quality products Saskatchewan produces move freely to new and existing markets like the European Union, China, India and South Korea. The recent signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership is encouraging, and ratification of the agreement is essential to ensure access to the 800 million consumers the market represents.
“International trade drives our province’s economy, and continued access to Asian markets will benefit our agriculture and value-added sector,” Stewart said. “Being part of this ambitious agreement is in the best interest of Canada and Saskatchewan.”
Saskatchewan had sales of at least $200 million to 15 different countries. The top three export destinations were the United States, China and India. Increases in crop and livestock production and a growing value-added sector have contributed to the record growth achieved in the province.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Chelsea Coupal
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: chelsea.coupal@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4199