Farmers Brace for Impact as U.S. Trade War Creates Implications for Wheat and Barley Exports

A new article from Alberta Grains paints a picture of the future of a cross-border relationship that has long been essential for wheat and barley exports. While uncertainty is nothing new for farmers, this latest challenge has the potential to ripple far beyond the fields.

Since the days when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Canadian cereals—especially wheat and barley—have flowed south of the border with relative ease, note Shannon Sereda, director, government relations, Policy & Markets and Jasen Aussant, senior policy advisor for Alberta Grains.

In 2024, Canadian wheat exports to the U.S. topped $1 billion. Barley exports added another $100 million. Alberta alone accounted for nearly $288 million in wheat shipments and $44 million in barley.