The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is now issuing cash advances under the Advance Payments Program at the higher limits announced by the federal government earlier this month.
Amendments to the Agricultural Marketing Programs Regulations came into effect last week, providing for a temporary doubling of the interest-free portion for canola advances under the Advance Payments Program (APP). The CCGA, which administers the APP in Western Canada, began issuing cash advances at the new limits on Friday.
The implementation of these changes means that for the 2025 and 2026 program years, farmers now have access to up to $500,000 interest-free and a maximum eligible advance of $1 million. For 2025, the interest-free component includes up to $250,000 for any commodity eligible under the program, plus an additional $250,000 for canola only.
“With the increased interest-free limit for canola being in place as of Sept.16, CCGA will reassess all current 2025 customer advances and reallocate the interest-free and interest-bearing portions of those advances in a way that maximizes the interest-free benefit available to eligible farmers,” said Dave Gallant, CCGA’s Vice-President, Finance & APP Operations.
For 2025, farmers can apply for up to $1 million in financing, with up to $500,000 interest-free, and the remainder at CCGA’s interest-bearing rate of prime less 0.25%. First-time applicants are encouraged to apply through CCGA’s contact center, while returning customers can access self-serve options through their online accounts.
The Advance Payments Program is a federal loan program administered by CCGA that offers farmers greater marketing flexibility through interest-free and low-interest advances.
The change follows broader federal efforts unveiled earlier this month to shore up Canada’s canola sector against global trade challenges, most notably China’s implementation of a nearly 76% anti-dumping duty against imports of Canadian canola seed, and its earlier announced 100% tariffs against imports of Canadian canola oil and meal.
