Photo credit: Bill Warchol, Dreamstime.

By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Tariffs prompt price drop, concern for farmers, says Peace Country Alberta Grains delegate

Apr 1, 2025 | 6:00 AM

An Alberta Grains delegate from the Peace says farmers are very concerned about tariffs.

Woking farmer Jesse Mayer says canola prices dropped after China imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil, canola meal and peas, and the Americans started issuing tariffs of their own.

Mayer adds while this isn’t happening too late to impact cropping intentions, farmers already have their plans in place and crop rotations to follow.

“The reality is most farmers aren’t going to make a whole lot of changes for this coming spring.”

“It’s also to important to realize we work on yearly cycles and things will change again moving forward. We just hope we’re going to see some of these trade disputes get resolved.”

Mayer says the tariff Canada imposed on Chinese electric vehicles, which promoted the retaliation from China on canola and peas “needs to be looked at closely because it is hurting farmers.”

He says this country being in federal election campaign is not helping get anything resolved.

“Right now, we’re sort of in limbo in Ottawa. Do we need to see some stable government on the federal level? You bet.”

Mayer says these trade disputes show the importance of having diversified markets.

“We see that on the wheat side, where we have a much more diversified market versus canola where we’ve been able to differentiate ourselves with our quality.”

“Because of our growing conditions, we grow some of the best wheat in the world, which customers from over 80 countries are looking at.”

Mayer says Alberta Grains is working with the provincial government and federal with national farm groups on the tariffs issue.

Mayer was part of an industry panel that spoke at the recent State of the City presentations.