Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 4, Canada’s canola growers have regained access to a key export destination as Pakistan reopens its market after a three-year suspension on canola and other genetically modified (GM) crops. The move marks a significant development for Canada’s agricultural sector, which has been seeking new outlets to offset the loss of access to the Chinese market.

Canola Council of Canada president Chris Davison said: “It’s very good that market access has been re-established to Pakistan, for sure.” He noted that Pakistan had previously been a substantial buyer of Canadian canola seed. Between 2015 and 2020, Pakistan’s annual imports averaged 810,000 tonnes, with volumes reaching up to 1.35 million tonnes in some years.

The restrictions began in late 2022, when Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection required import licenses for GM crop arrivals. However, the country lacked a system to process such applications, prompting the National Biosafety Committee to establish the necessary regulations. In late 2023, the federal cabinet of Pakistan approved amendments to biosafety rules, allowing imports of GM crops for food, feed, and processing. The government officially implemented the changes in January 2024, after which the registration process for GM crop imports began.

The Canadian government worked closely with Pakistani officials, submitting technical data for the approval of Canadian GM canola events. Those approvals were recently granted, enabling the issuance of import licenses to Pakistani importers interested in purchasing Canadian seed. Davison noted: “It wasn’t a short process. There were a number of twists and turns that impacted timelines.” He added that the council has already received “expressions of interest” from Pakistani buyers, which may soon lead to confirmed orders.

Renewed demand from Pakistan is considered timely, as Canada continues to face limited access to the Chinese canola market, which purchased 5.86 million tonnes of seed in 2024. Davison said it remains uncertain how much of the previous Chinese demand Pakistan might absorb: “We’re going to watch to see if there’s an opportunity to re-establish trade at previous levels.”

The Canola Council is also monitoring opportunities in Mexico, the European Union, and Japan, where potential increases in imports are anticipated. Japan, which previously bought over two million tonnes of Canadian canola annually, has reduced purchases by half in recent years.

Dean Roberts, chair of the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, welcomed Pakistan’s reopening as encouraging news for farmers. “Right now, any good news is welcome on the farm,” he said. Roberts noted that many producers are struggling with declining commodity prices and high fertilizer costs: “They’re in a very bad spot going into next year’s crop.”

The reopening of the Pakistani market represents a step toward diversifying Canada’s export portfolio and reinforcing the resilience of its agricultural trade amid shifting global market dynamics.