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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • DECEMBER 5, 2016
China will remain key Canadian soybean market Recent trade mission suggests demand for food and feed soybeans will continue to grow in that country BY ALEX BINKLEY AF contributor
C
hina is going to be an important and growing market for all types of Canadian soybeans for the foreseeable future. Soy Canada says it was told loud and clear during a recent trade mission to China that both food and feed soybeans will continue to be in demand. China is Canada’s largest export market, consuming about 28 per cent of the soy-
beans shipped abroad. Exports of beans and soy products hit 1.2 million tonnes, worth $588 million in 2015. “The market continues to grow starting at zero 20 years ago,” Jim Everson, Soy Canada’s executive director, said. “They buy beans from both Eastern and Western Canada.” Soy Canada participated in the early-November trade mission led by Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. “We expect exports of both commodity and food-grade soybeans to the region to increase,”
Hemp food company planning new plant in Nisku
Blue Means Strategic
Hempco Food and Fiber sells oil, seed nut, protein powder, and shells made from hemp seed Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. says it plans to build a 56,000-squarefoot hemp foods-processing facility at Nisku. In a press release, the company said it had obtained a lease for (with an option to purchase) 4.7 acres from Redco Properties. “Hempco is presently producing about 200,000 pounds of hulled hemp seed per month at its MacGregor, Man. facility and expects the Alberta location hemp seedprocessing equipment will produce approximately 240,000 lbs./ month, with scalable plans for six times that amount or about 1.3 million lbs./month,” the release stated. “Phase 1 install completion target is April 2017.” “Getting closer proximity to supply from the western Prairies, logistically and financially, just makes sense,” added Charles Holmes, the company’s CEO. The company, headquartered in Burnaby, B.C., trades on the TSX Venture Exchange. It produces four main hemp seed products: oil, seed nut, protein powder, and seed shells. Its most recent financial statement reported sales of $3.9 million for a nine-month period ending May 1. — Staff
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said Everson. “There is a lot of optimism surrounding the Canadian and Chinese governments’ recent commitment to engage in exploratory free trade talks.” Everson said farmers have the choice of many different varieties of food- and feed-grade soybeans. “The grain companies know where the product is going and what kinds are wanted,” he said. The Chinese livestock industry has been a big consumer of soybeans for feed but Chinese consumers are including more soy products in their diet.
Incorporating heavy stubble or manure in one pass Leveling and repairing top-soil structure Controlling weeds by promoting volunteers regrowth
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Reducing fuel, manpower and passes Promoting early, uniform seed emergence
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