Grain and oil exports drive record cargo volumes at the Port of Vancouver

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority says rising grain and oil exports drove record cargo volumes through the Port of Vancouver in the first half of the year, as exporters sought to reduce reliance on U.S. markets. Freight volumes rose three per cent year over year in the six months ended June 30.

Bulk grain exports increased 14 per cent to a record 17.4 million tonnes, while crude oil exports rose three per cent to a record 12 million tonnes. Much of the commodity traffic was bound for the Indo-Pacific, with East Asia taking Alberta crude and China, Europe and Mexico importing canola seed.

Port authority CEO Peter Xotta said that, amid a more protectionist United States, he wants to help Canada double exports to non-U.S. markets within a decade. The United States accounted for one-fifth of crude exports through Vancouver terminals, down from one-third a year earlier.

Auto volumes through the port also rose 10 per cent year over year in the first half of 2026, as automakers looked for alternatives to the U.S. market.