The first few months of 2025 has brought a lot of uncertainty for farmers and for the pulse sector in Canada. I do not recall a time during which tariffs, trade policy, and imports and exports were the first topic of conversation at social events, family gatherings, and on the street like they are today.
Grain farmers in Saskatchewan have always been heavily reliant on global markets to sell their products. While we continue to build more processing demand here in Canada, more than 85% of the pulses we produce are exported to countries such as China, India, United States, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, and over 100 others. Since the start of 2025, farmers now face 100% tariffs on pea exports to China in retaliation for Canada’s similar tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum, and the near-constant threat of tariffs from the United States. In India, we face 11% tariffs on lentils and uncertainty whether open access for peas will remain after May 31, 2025. These three countries are our top three markets for pulses.
However, with all the additional attention on trade comes an opportunity for us to highlight just how important bilateral relations are with other countries and the importance of market diversification, and that is just what we are doing.
SPG is actively supporting our sector’s engagement strategy with our largest markets and building on the decades of strong business-to-business trading relationships. In the first two months of 2025, SPG Board member and Chair of Pulse Canada Terry Youzwa was in China and India with Pulse Canada President Greg Cherewyk to lead discussions with industry and government leaders in both of those countries.
Less than 10 days after China announced the imposition of 100% tariffs on Canadian peas and other agriculture and seafood products and before they took effect on March 20, SPG was on the ground with Pulse Canada in China meeting with importers and processors of Canadian peas, industry associations, and government. The focus for China was to understand the impact of 100% tariffs on pea imports to China and to discuss ways in which products en route or contracted prior to the March 8 announcement of tariffs could be eligible to enter. SPG and many others have been calling on the federal government to immediately engage with China to resolve the tariff war. See our letter to Prime Minister Carney here.
Finally, the additional focus on trade recently has reinforced the need to continue our existing strategy on market diversification, including with the U.S. and E.U., but also with increased attention to Southeast Asia and Latin America.
As pulse growers in Saskatchewan begin the 2025 seeding season, much trade uncertainty remains. SPG will continue to collaborate with other crop groups in Saskatchewan and with national and international groups to advocate on behalf of growers for a predictable and reliable trade environment.
– Carl Potts, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers