Canada’s grain sector is built on trade, but without modern infrastructure, the foundation is cracking. The sector exports more than 70 per cent of its output. When infrastructure fails, the financial and reputational damage is immediate. Delays at port or along key corridors impact farmers financially and undermine Canada’s reliability as a global supplier of high-quality grain.

While there’s no Tinder for business, Bunge and Viterra hope they’ve found the perfect match. The two companies announced their intent to merge in June 2023. Viterra brings more than 80 Canadian grain-handling centres to the blossoming relationship, along with sales to more than 70 nations. For its part, Bunge is the world’s largest processor of oilseeds, with 300 operations in 40 countries. Of course, with a celebrity wedding comes major scrutiny.

“All port terminals are reporting normal operations,” said Doug Mills, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority senior accounts representative, on April 14. As the global COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing, these are reassuring words.

New crop missions form the practical foundation of Canada’s strategic wheat marketing efforts. And they have proven invaluable in developing and maintaining markets. Forming the delegations that carry out these postharvest sojourns, Cereals Canada, the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi), the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) as well as grain companies and farmer representatives work together to cultivate and sustain relationships with traditional and emerging customers.