Canada’s largest port handled record cargo volumes in 2025, with grain exports playing a major role in the surge.
The Port of Vancouver moved a record 170.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, nearly 8% higher than the previous record set in 2024, according to a port release earlier this week. Strong export demand for Canadian commodities — particularly grain, crude oil, and potash — drove the increase.
Grain shipments were especially strong. Bulk grain exports through the port reached a record 30.3 million tonnes, supported largely by robust wheat demand. Wheat exports climbed 20% from 2024 to nearly 16 million tonnes, with Western Canadian wheat shipped to 35 countries across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, Central America, and the Middle East.
But while many commodities posted gains, canola seed exports declined sharply in 2025, largely due to Chinese tariffs introduced late in the year. Shipments fell 23% to 6.6 million tonnes, with volumes dropping significantly from August onward.
Despite the downturn, port officials say the outlook for canola shipments is improving. A Canada-China trade agreement reached in January has begun to restore market access, and early data suggests exports are already starting to recover.
Meanwhile, exports of canola oil expanded into new international markets, including strong growth to South Korea and Peru, helping Western Canadian producers diversify beyond traditional buyers.
