Comparative Grain Supply Chain in Canada and China

About 50% of Canada's total production of grain is moved from farm to international grain market every year. In China, a significant amount of grain movement occurs every year to transport grain from surplus areas to deficit regions. Efficient grain supply chain plays an important role in grain economic development. This paper discusses and compares the current scenario of grain handling and transportation systems developed in Canada and China. In Canada, there are four levels of grain storage facilities (on-farm storage, primary elevator, terminal elevator and transfer elevator) that have evolved with the need to satisfy both domestic and international markets. Economic factors have driven the changes in Canada's grain supply chain. Canada's grain industry has worked toward achieving high efficiency at all levels. The grain handling and distribution system in China has developed rapidly during the last few decades. Four major grain distribution systems or grain transit corridors have been established, covering grain movement in the Yangtze river region, Northeast region, Southwest region, and Beijing to Tianjing region. Three major levels of grain storage facilities (primary depot, intermediate depot, and port terminal) have evolved in the grain distribution networks. The investments are aimed to achieve a significant reduction in grain distribution costs and losses in China.