Canada’s grain shipments were a concern at a recent meeting in Singapore. Canada produces high quality grain however much of the record crop farmers grew last year is sitting on the prairies because of difficulties moving it to port and loading it onto ships for export.
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The president of the Grain Growers of Canada said it’s a concern for buyers and potential buyers who attended the Singapore meetings.
“They know that we have the best grain in the world,” said Gary Stanford, “they know that we have a good supply of grain in the world and they know that we export 12 months of the year.”
Stanford said the biggest common thread all countries talked about was Canada’s grain transportation problems.
“They were concerned that we would not be able to be a reliable supplier in the future,” he said. “If the ships are going to wait too long at the port that they would need to send them to United States or to other countries to have a reliable source.”
He said Canada needs to look at transportation and logistical issues from grain elevators, railways and ports to loading grain at terminals. Stanford said it’s necessary to ensure Canada’s ability to transport and load grain keeps up with the growing demand for it.
“We have to look at the long term,” he said. “In five years, in 10 years will we be able to handle this? Will the system be able to do it? Do we need bigger spots at the elevators in the inland terminals to handle the unit trains? There are a lot of logistical problems that we need to look at for the long term.”
He called the Asian countries’ concerns about Canada a rude awakening adding it is important Canadians attend meetings such as the one in Singapore to promote Canadian grain and correct misconceptions some potential buyers have about it.
Canada is the world’s third largest grain exporter.
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