WINNIPEG, March 13, 2019 /CNW/ - The grain sector is a key driver of Canada's economic growth, exporting 20.5 million tonnes of wheat in 2017 and $21 billion in exports sales.
Today, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced an investment of up to $6.2 million to help the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) expand the market for Canadian wheat through technical support, market research, employee exchanges and customized training for customers and commercial partners in over 50 countries.
This project, funded through the AgriMarketing Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will enable Cigi to strengthen relations with buyers and prevent future market access issues, while expanding existing markets and developing new opportunities around the world.
Today's announcement is part of Minister Bibeau's first agricultural tour. Minister Bibeau is meeting with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participate in local agricultural events, to highlight strategic federal agricultural investments and programs and how they will help to build an even stronger and more innovative sector for Canada.
The tour began on March 11 in Vernon, British Columbia and ends today in Winnipeg, Manitoba with stops in Kelowna, B.C. and Calgary, Alberta.
Quotes
"The Canadian International Grains Institute has been successful in their sustained efforts to ensure buyers here and abroad have a better knowledge and trust in Canadian wheat quality. This investment demonstrates that the Government of Canada is committed to supporting the grains sector, improving their competitiveness and fostering continued economic growth for our middle-class and long-term prosperity for all Canadians."
- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"The Government of Canada knows how valuable the Canadian International Grains Institute's work is for the cereal grains sector. This funding will enable Cigi to reinforce buyers' confidence in Canadian wheat quality to develop existing and new markets, spurring job creation and economy expansion for this region."
- Robert-Falcon Ouellette and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre
"The Government of Canada has been a key contributor to Cigi's success throughout its 47-year history. Over the next three years this funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program will be used by Cigi to maintain confidence in Canadian wheat quality in international markets, improve customer knowledge of the performance and functionality of Canadian wheat, and gather and share information on customers' end-use requirements with the Canadian value chain."
- JoAnne Buth, CEO, Canadian International Grains Institute
Quick facts
- The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
- In 2017, Canada's grain sector exported 20.5 million tonnes of wheat.
- The Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) is a not for profit organization established in 1972 to work with the grain and field crop value chain throughout Canada and internationally to drive the development and increase the use of Canadian agricultural products.
- This funding was made under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership's AgriMarketing Program: National Industry Association (NIA) Component, a five-year, up to $121 M federal initiative that aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities.
Associated links
- Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- AgriMarketing Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi)
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Katie Hawkins, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, 613-773-1059, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]
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