Some Of The Top Food Stories Of 2022

Dec 27, 2022

Number one on that list was the ongoing war in Ukraine and the impact it's had on markets around the world, including here in Canada. "The reason why we actually picked that story as the number one story of the year is because first of all it was quite violent. The human aspect of the tragedy is is is quite significant in my view, but you also saw commodity prices spike within weeks at record levels, shares Dr. Sylvain Charelbois. "Corn, wheat, everything because, I think, Canadians just start to realize that region of the world is is super important. Now, in terms of supplies to Canada, not so much but commodity prices did go up and that impacted farmers and of course, the fertilizers situation just got worse with sanctions against Russia and terrorists that producers had to pay. it really complicated things and which actually made the seeding season the most expensive in history."

Some of the other stories on that list included Ottawa's attempt to put warning labels on packages of ground beef, the ongoing fertilizer issue, and who's to blame for food inflation.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.