Canada invests in cereals research and market support

The Chief Executive Officer for Cereals Canada says a significant funding announcement will enable them to continue supporting markets around the world.

Dean Dias says they have received $7.3 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. He notes this substantial investment includes $6.6 million over three years from the AgriMarketing Program and $674,000 over five years from the AgriScience Program. 

"It's an exciting time to be honest because it looks like the federal government appreciates the work Cereals Canada does," says Dias. "And has been a strong supporter for many years of the work we do here at Cereals Canada in Winnipeg."

Dias explains that one of the key initiatives supported by the AgriScience Program funding is a four-year (2024-2028) research activity in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientists Dr. Sijo Joseph and Dr. Lovemore Malunga. He notes the project will look at how variety and environmental conditions affect oat quality for different food applications, providing the industry with knowledge about year-to-year variability in oat quality and how best to ensure that Canadian oats continue to deliver consistent quality expected by customers.

Cereals Canada applied for the funding and Dias says without it they cannot support as many markets. He notes Cereals Canada is responsible for wheat, barley, and oats, with wheat being delivered to more than 80 countries. Dias says this funding from government gives them the resources to support majority of markets. 

"We know that Canadian farmers have proudly produced safe, high-quality ingredients and we want to make sure that our customers around the world, those 80 customers around the world, understand the quality of it, understand the functionality of it, and understand that it is a nutritious, sustainable product," explains Dias. "Funding, such as this, from government, matched by our members, really helps us support these markets around the world."

Dias says that Canadian agriculture is a driver of the economy especially when the cereal sector is responsible for $68.8 billion in annual economic activity and 370,000 full-time jobs in Canada. Canadian cereals lead the country's agriculture exports with annual exports to over 80 countries.