Re p r e s e n t a t i v e s from 12 countries are attending the 42nd International Grain Industry Program at the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) in Winnipeg. The two-week program that begins July 6 features classroom and technical demonstrations on Canadian grains for international customers. The sessions will focus on an introduction to the Canadian industry, inspection and grading, handling, transportation, marketing, and technology.
The 18 participants represent trading organizations, mills and processing companies from Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In addition, four representatives from the Canadian Wheat Board, which is sponsoring the program, two from the Montreal Port Authority and one from the Canadian Grain Commission are attending.
Read Also
Manitoba sclerotinia picture mixed for 2025
Variations in weather and crop development in this year’s Manitoba canola fields make blanket sclerotinia outlooks hard to pin down
The sessions offered in this CIGI flagship program aim to improve participants’ overall understanding of the Canadian grain industry, says Len Seguin, CIGI director of Cereal Technology. “They will be involved in discussions and hands-on demonstrations in CIGI’s pilot facilities that cover milling, baking, Asian products, pasta, special crops and analytical services and will also have a chance to meet with representatives from the Canadian industry.
“The program was scheduled for July instead of earlier in spring, as has been done before, in response to feedback from past participants so that customers will have a better first-hand view of Canada’s grain crop.”
The group will tour a grain farm, primary elevator, the Canadian Grain Commission, Canadian Wheat Board and Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. During the last few days of the program, they will travel across Western Canada and tour a terminal elevator and Port Vancouver.
CIGI is a non-profit market development organization dedicated to promoting Canada’s field crops in domestic and international markets through educational programming and technical activities. Core funding for CIGI is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Wheat Board. Additional funds and support are provided by other sectors of the agriculture industry. Since 1972, CIGI has hosted more than 30,000 participants from 114 countries.
