Canola has become one of Canada’s most important cash crops. In 2023, canola generated approximately $14 billion in farm cash receipts: almost 25% of total crop receipts. The overall economic impact of canola is even more significant, generating almost $44 billion in revenue when all the economic activities driven by seed development, harvesting, processing and marketing are combined.
Currently, 90% of Canada’s canola is exported. China, Japan and Mexico are the largest buyers of canola seed, while the US is the top buyer of canola oil. Both the US and China are the biggest buyers of canola meal. Nearly 90% of canola and its byproducts (oil and meal) are exported to the US or China.
This heavy reliance on two markets makes Canadian canola farmers and exporters vulnerable to trade disruptions, making the expansion of export markets for Canadian canola more important than ever. The European Union is a robust and viable export market that provides opportunities for Canadian canola.
The EU biofuel market is expected to grow consistently as an effort to decarbonize transportation and replace fossil-based products. That means the demand for biofuel feedstocks will keep on growing. Canadian canola already qualifies as a suitable feedstock for use in the EU’s biofuel market, however, growers and exporters must comply with the EU market access requirements as outlined in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). At P&H, we have adopted the International Sustainability Carbon Certification – EU (ISCC-EU) program to ensure that both we and our growers are compliant with RED III requirements.
The ISCC-EU certification program is easy, and P&H will support you at every stage.
Reach out to your local P&H representative and express your interest in the program.
Your P&H representative will provide you with a Preparedness Checklist to ensure your qualification for the program.
If you qualify for the program, your P&H representative will provide you with a declaration form (paper or online) and guide you through the process.
You are now ISCC-EU certified, and your sustainable canola is eligible for the EU biofuel market. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed easily the following year.
A small number of randomly selected growers will have an on-farm assessment as part of the certification process. Your P&H representative will support you with the documentation necessary for the on-farm assessment.