In 1995-96, about 65 per cent of total grains and oilseeds exports went out of the Canadian west coast. Japan is the world's largest importer of grains and oilseeds. Canada exports about four Mt of grain to Japan every year through the west coast ports. Japanese corn imports have averaged over 16 Mt over the last five years, and have been primarily sourced from the US through the Gulf ports. Japan also imports wheat and barley, sourced largely from Canada, US and Australia.
China is also one of the world's largest importers of grains and oilseeds.
About 20 to 25 per cent of Canadian grains and oilseeds are exported to China annually. Wheat is the major grain imported by Iran, with Canada and Australia the dominant suppliers. Canadian wheat exports to Iran are primarily through the St. Lawrence Seaway. This makes large vessel rates from the St. Lawrence comparable to small vessel rates from Australia to Iran. Algeria is Canada's major export destination for durum wheat.