March 7, 2011

On the heels of a record year for Canadian soybean production in 2010, representatives from Canada’s soybean industry are travelling to Asia this March to promote high-quality Canadian food grade soybeans in Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. The nine-day program includes a series of seminars and meetings with customers and industry officials in each country.

The March 9 to 17 program is led by the Canadian Soybean Council (CSC) and organized by the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) along with Canadian Embassy staff in each location. The contingent includes representatives from the CSC, Canadian Soybean Exporters’ Association (CSEA) and CIGI. Individuals from seven Canadian soybean exporting companies will also be participating.

Canada’s overall soybean production reached a new high in 2010 due to a very favourable growing season. Statistics Canada estimates production at 4.3 million tonnes for 2010, which is 24 percent above the 2009 Canadian soybean crop. Production in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec rose to the highest levels ever in 2010.

“We are looking forward to meeting with industry representatives in each of these countries and discussing our ability to supply a quality product that meets their unique processing requirements,” says Jim Gowland, CSC Chair. “Everyone involved in Canada’s soybean industry is keenly dedicated to meeting the needs of our international customers.”

The visit to Japan is part of the industry’s continuing efforts to strengthen the relationship with Canada’s largest importer of food grade soybeans. Japan imported more than 350,000 tonnes of Canadian food grade soybeans in 2009. In recent years there have been a number of incoming and outgoing programs between the two countries.