Fueled by demand in emerging and developing countries, world agricultural exports have more than doubled in the past decade, from $551 billion in 2000 to over $1.3 trillion in 2008. The global recession took its toll with exports declining to $1.17 trillion in 2009 but they have since recovered vigorously. However, agricultural exports from Canada only increased from $35 billion to $54 billion during the 2000-2008 period.
Alberta paints an even more dismal picture. Our agricultural exports have been relatively stagnant over the decade — in the $5 billion- $6 billion range — except in 2008 when a sharp price increase for grains and oilseeds occurred. Of even greater concern is the stagnation (at around $3 billion) in value-added exports such as beef, pork, processed grains and oilseeds and consumer-ready products. World demand for such products has increased rapidly due to rising income, population growth and urbanization. Market-access restrictions are one important cause of Canada’s and Alberta’s relatively poor performance. Read more here.
