Market Access Committee finds no trade concerns for new corn and soy products for 2026

Ottawa, ON – Now in its fifth year, the Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has completed its annual review of crop protection products expected to enter the market in 2026, confirming no export market access concerns for four new corn products and six new soybean products.

Every year, the Committee evaluates new crop protection products to ensure alignment with international market requirements and to mitigate potential trade risks for Canadian corn and soybeans. Since its inception in 2021, 33 new crop protection products have been assessed and recommended for use without restrictions. The Committee also provides an annual opportunity for the value chain to review the status of seed technologies, such as biotech traits in key export markets, helping ensure Canadian exports continue to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Co-chaired by Winston van Staveren, director with Soy Canada and Paul Hoekstra, vice president, Strategic Development with Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Committee works to prevent market access challenges and support the predictable commercialization of crop protection products and seed technologies. Standing members include representatives from grain handling and exporting organizations across Quebec, Ontario, and Western Canada, as well as farmers and life science representatives.

Protecting that market access and minimizing risk is critical. For example, more than 70 per cent of Canadian soybeans are exported each year. In Ontario, more than 70 per cent of soybeans and a significant portion of Ontario’s corn crop are shipped to global markets annually.

The Committee follows the “Market Acceptance of Pesticide Use Policy” developed by the grain value chain under the auspices of the Canada Grains Council and adopted by other commodity organizations in Canada. In brief, the maximum residues limits (MRLs) of crop protection products are evaluated against requirements in key export markets. A MRL is the maximum amount of a crop protection product permitted in grain, as determined by the importing country.

2026 corn and soybean products

For the 2026 growing season, the Committee assessed several new and updated crop protection products and determined that all products meet market access requirements. No advisories to limit the use of these products are necessary at this time.

• Corn: One new active ingredient and use pattern was reviewed, along with three additional products featuring existing active ingredients and use patterns.
• Soybeans: One new active ingredient and use pattern was reviewed, along with five new formulations using existing active ingredients and use patterns.