Gro Intelligence Provides Greater Insight Into Canadian Agriculture

Gro Intelligence’s data sources continue to expand with the latest addition to our product. Statistics Canada, or StatCan, is the national statistical information service similar to the USDA providing vital data for Canada’s agricultural sector.

StatCan data offers historical context and granular insights at the province and territory level. Gro makes it easy for subscribers to access this data and analyze industry trends with information from multiple sources.

In January, we have used StatCan data within Gro to identify important trends within the country’s agricultural sector. Canadian wheat production lies in the southernmost regions of the country, but changing precipitation patterns—which may be indicative of a changing climate—threaten production areas in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Dry conditions coupled with increased temperatures are also affecting wheat yields and grain quality. Although rising temperatures may open up new areas for planting and shift Canadian wheat production northward, net wheat production and quality may not see a positive effect.

Canadian beef and veal exports hit $1.67 billion in 2016 and increased by just over 7% to $1.8 billion in 2017. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently looked to East Asia in pursuit of new trade agreements to keep up with the expanding cattle market. However, the majority of Canada’s beef exports head to the US and maintaining this historical trade relationship remains Canada’s top priority despite the uncertain future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Canada remains a critical component of several important agronomic sectors like wheat, canola, and livestock. Market reforms such as the implementation of NAFTA in 1994 and the 2012 loosening of the Canadian Wheat Board’s grip on wheat exports boosted the prominence of Canadian agriculture throughout North America and accelerated global trade growth. Despite Canada’s sizable and increasing trade presence, the United States still dominates its business profile. Of the $390.1 billion in total 2016 Canadian exports, 76 percent went to the US. Food and agricultural exports to the US that year were valued at around $47 billion, boosting employment and economic opportunity. The potential repeal of NAFTA could test the agricultural relationship between the two countries. Gro Intelligence subscribers can use StatCan to stay on top of real time Canadian agricultural trends. With this improved access to Canadian agricultural data, users can more easily identify new trade opportunities and changing production trends.