Saskatchewan exported more agri-food products to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first 10 months of this year compared with the same period last year.

The provincial government says between January and October of this year, $322-million worth of agri-food products was exported to the UAE, a 19 per cent increase from 2023. The top agricultural product exported was lentils valued at $174 million and a commodity the province says accounts for 54 per cent of exports to the UAE. Other top agri-food exports to that country are canola seed at $56 million and non-durum wheat at $33 million.

“The growth of agri-food exports to the UAE demonstrates the ongoing success of Saskatchewan’s strategy to strengthen our international agri-food export markets,” Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said in a news release. “Saskatchewan producers continue to provide sustainable, high-quality agri-food products to address global food security.”

“Saskatchewan’s network of International Trade and Investment offices, including our UAE office, are essential for Saskatchewan producers to expand access into new global markets,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “It is more import important than ever to diversify and grow our export markets. Our Province’s producers provide the food and energy security the world needs. I look forward to continuing to build on our relationship with the UAE and further increase bi-lateral trade, bringing new investment and creating more jobs for Saskatchewan people.”

The government noted it had surpassed its 2030 Growth Plan target of $20 billion in agri-food exports with $20.2 billion in 2023, the fourth consecutive year the province achieved record agri-food exports.

It also noted provincial exports “totaled over $102 billion for 2022 and 2023 combined. This is an increase of more than 52 per cent from the previous two-year period, and the highest export numbers in the province’s history.”