How to Choose a Pulse Supplier in Canada for Buyers

Canada is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of pulses, and its peas, lentils and chickpeas are graded under a federal system run by the Canadian Grain Commission. Statistics Canada reports that the country produced 3.9 million tonnes of dry peas and a record 3.4 million tonnes of lentils in 2025, which leaves large volumes for export. This guide sets out the due-diligence steps for selecting a Canadian pulse supplier: checking CFIA and Canadian Grain Commission credentials, reading grade specifications and certificates, assessing processing lines, and building a landed-cost model that covers rail, ocean freight and port routing. It also explains why sorting and dehulling-yield records matter more than a brochure, and how to write contract clauses that protect delivery windows when rail capacity tightens or force majeure is declared.

Why Canada Is a Strategic Source for Pulses

Canada's production scale and federal grading system reduce sourcing risk for buyers. Pulse Canada describes the country as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of pulse crops, including lentils, peas, chickpeas, dry beans and faba beans. Canada produced 3.9 million tonnes of dry peas in 2025, up 32.1% from a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. Production is not the same as exports: AAFC's September 2026 outlook estimates 2025-26 (August-July) exports at 2.66 million tonnes of dry peas and 2.42 million tonnes of lentils, with carry-out stocks of both at record levels. Bulk cargoes load at terminal elevators, while Pulse Canada identifies the container terminals in British Columbia and Montreal as the key gateways for containerised pulse exports.

Production Volume and Crop Diversity

Production volume and crop diversity allow buyers to source several pulse classes from a single origin country, simplifying logistics and documentation. Production is concentrated on the Prairies, however, so weather can move the whole crop: AAFC estimates 2026-27 dry pea production at 3.26 million tonnes, 17% below 2025-26, largely because of lower yields and area, with Saskatchewan and Alberta expected to account for 53% and 42% of it. Buyers can structure annual contracts covering several pulse types, but should check the latest crop estimates before fixing volumes.

Grading Standards and Food Safety Reputation

Grading standards give exporters and importers a common reference. The Canadian Grain Commission sets the grades for peas, lentils and chickpeas in its Official Grain Grading Guide, using grade determinants such as colour, damage, foreign material and other classes of grain, while moisture decides whether a sample is graded straight, tough or damp. For bulk cargoes loaded at terminal elevators, the CGC issues a Certificate Final, which it describes as Canada's official assurance that the grain loaded met the stated class, grade and specifications when the vessel departed. A Certificate Final is not required for shipments to the United States, and the CGC states that one is required for cargo disputes.

Port Infrastructure and Shipping Lane Access

Port infrastructure affects landed cost and delivery reliability. Vancouver is served by both of Canada's Class I railways, CN and CPKC, and Prince Rupert by CN; both ports handle bulk grain and container cargo bound for Asia. Container services to Asian ports differ in frequency, transit time and transhipment points, so ask the supplier or forwarder for the named carrier service and its published schedule rather than relying on general estimates. For Europe, containerised pulses can also move by rail to the Port of Montreal. Plan safety stock around the service you actually book, not around an average transit time.

How to Verify Supplier Credentials and Certifications

Verifying a Canadian pulse supplier starts with confirming which licences its activities require and whether it holds recognised food safety certification. Canadian farmers received over $3 billion for their pulses in 2024, according to Statistics Canada, and the trade includes processors, exporters and brokers of very different size. Before issuing a purchase order, ask for the supplier's Safe Food for Canadians licence number where its activities require one, its Canadian Grain Commission licence class or exemption, and current third-party audit certificates. Both the CFIA and the CGC publish searchable lists, so these checks can be made online.

CFIA Registration and Safe Food for Canadians License

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations require a licence for certain activities, not for every pulse exporter. According to the CFIA, a business needs a licence to export food if it wants a CFIA export certificate or other export permission, and to package and label pulses into consumer prepackages for export; cleaning, screening, drying or fumigating unprocessed pulses does not by itself require a licence. If the supplier holds a licence, check it in the CFIA's Safe Food for Canadians Licence Registry, which lists licence holders in good standing and can be searched by licence number or legal name. Confirm that the licensed establishment is the one that will handle your product.

HACCP, ISO 22000, and BRCGS Certification Checks

HACCP, ISO 22000, and BRCGS certification checks reveal whether a supplier's processing facility meets global buyer requirements. Buyers should request the current certificate and audit report summary, checking the scope covers pulse cleaning, splitting, or packaging as applicable. ISO 22000 certification demonstrates a documented food safety management system. If a supplier has no such certification, it may be a trader rather than a processor, so ask who controls the plant that cleans and packs your product.

Canadian Grain Commission License Verification

Canadian Grain Commission licensing shows how a company is registered under the Canada Grain Act. The CGC issues four classes of licence: grain dealer, primary elevator, process elevator and terminal elevator. There is no separate exporter licence. Its list of licensed grain companies shows each company's class of licence, and the CGC notes that companies not on the list are either exempted, outside the Act's jurisdiction or in violation of it. Licensed primary and process elevators and grain dealers must post security that protects producers who are not paid for grain they deliver; a licence does not certify processing quality. If you need specific cleaning, splitting or sorting, confirm which facility does the work and audit that facility.

Understanding Canadian Pulse Grades and Specifications

Canadian pulse grades run from No. 1 Canada, the highest, to No. 3 Canada, with an additional Extra No. 3 grade for lentils; samples that fail the No. 3 limits are graded Sample Canada with the reason stated. The Canadian Grain Commission sets the tolerances for each grade based on colour, damage, foreign material and other factors. Buyers importing for human consumption typically specify No. 1 or No. 2 with additional contract specifications for size, splitting or canning performance. Canadian chickpea production rose by almost one-third to a record 481 589 tonnes in 2025 according to Statistics Canada, increasing the availability of kabuli types for canning markets.

Grade Determinants: Color, Damage, and Foreign Material

Grade determinants for peas and lentils cover colour, damage (including heated, insect-damaged and split seeds) and foreign material such as ergot, excreta, other seeds and stones. According to the CGC's Official Grain Grading Guide chapter on peas, Canada Green peas may contain at most 0.1% foreign material and 3% total damage at No. 1, 0.2% and 5% at No. 2, and 0.5% and 12% at No. 3. Chickpeas are graded in two classes, Kabuli and Desi, with separate tables for each. For bulk cargoes the Certificate Final states the official grade; for container shipments, state in the contract whether you require a CGC inspection certificate or an independent inspection company's certificate. Visual inspection at loading only confirms apparent condition.

Moisture Limits for Safe Sea Freight Storage

Moisture limits help prevent heating and mould growth during ocean transit. In the moisture testing chapter of the CGC's Official Grain Grading Guide, peas are straight grade up to 16.0% moisture, chickpeas and lentils other than red up to 14.0%, and red lentils up to 13.0%; above those levels grain is graded tough or damp, which reduces its value. Many buyers set a lower contractual maximum for long voyages to tropical destinations and require a moisture result from the CGC or an independent inspection company at loading. Condensation inside containers is managed with liners, kraft paper or desiccant bags, not by accepting higher moisture at origin.

Specialty Grades for Splitting and Canning Markets

Splitting mills and canning factories need uniform seed that hydrates evenly and breaks little. Kabuli chickpeas for canning are usually bought on a seed-size specification in millimetres on top of the CGC grade, with hydration and drained-weight requirements agreed in the contract. Yellow pea contracts for protein fractionation plants usually add a minimum protein content agreed with the processor. Buyers should align grade selection with their processing technology rather than defaulting to the cheapest export grade, as rework at destination can cost more than the origin premium.

Assessing Processing Capabilities and Value-Added Services

Processing capability directly determines the consistency and food safety of the final product delivered to your facility. A primary cleaning plant removes dockage and foreign material, but value-added processors invest in optical sorters, gravity tables, and splitting lines that meet specific customer specifications. Saskatchewan exported $2.5 billion worth of pulses to the world in 2025 according to the Government of Saskatchewan, reflecting the scale of the province's pulse trade. Buyers should audit the facility flow chart from receiving through packaging to verify critical control points match their HACCP requirements.

Optical Sorting and Gravity Table Technology

Optical sorting and gravity table technology remove defects that standard cleaning misses, including discoloured seeds, foreign seeds of similar size, and stones. Optical sorters reject seeds by colour and shape, while gravity tables separate by density to remove light, immature kernels and heavy contaminants such as stones or metal. Buyers should ask for the number of sorting passes, the sorter models in use, and how the reject stream is handled. Ask for purity results from recent lots of your grade rather than equipment claims, especially for retail-ready packs.

Splitting Efficiency and Dehulling Yields

Splitting efficiency and dehulling yields determine the processor's profitability and your cost per tonne of finished splits. Dehulling yield depends on variety, seed size, grade and crop condition, and it falls when the crop is weather-damaged. Yellow pea splitting requires tight control of moisture tempering and roller gap settings to minimize fines. Buyers should request historical yield data by grade and variety for the past three crop years. A processor unwilling to share yield records is harder to hold to a yield guarantee. Contract specifications should include minimum split yield guarantees with price adjustment mechanisms for out-of-spec raw material.

Retail Packaging vs Bulk Tote Flexibility

Packaging flexibility defines the supplier's ability to serve different market channels from the same facility. Common export formats are bulk in container liners, large bulk bags (totes) and 25 kg bags; some plants also pack consumer-size bags, which require a Safe Food for Canadians licence when packed for export. Buyers should confirm that the supplier's food safety certification covers the packaging formats required and that liners and bags are food-grade. A supplier offering only 25 kg bags may raise your destination warehousing and repacking costs compared with packing to your final format at origin.

Calculating Total Landed Cost Beyond Unit Price

How do I calculate the true landed cost of pulses from Canada to my port? Start with the unit price then layer every mandatory cost between the processor gate and your warehouse. Saskatchewan produced 2.9 MMT of lentils and 1.8 MMT of dry peas in 2025 according to Government of Saskatchewan and that volume drives competitive basis levels but freight spreads vary wildly by corridor. Build a landed cost model in a spreadsheet with separate lines for ocean freight, rail or truck to port, terminal handling, documentation, insurance, duties, brokerage, and destination drayage. Update the model weekly during harvest when basis and freight move daily.

Incoterms Selection: FOB Vancouver vs CIF Destination

Incoterms determine which party bears risk and cost on each leg of the journey. Under FOB Vancouver the buyer contracts the ocean freight and bears the risk once the goods are on board, so it controls carrier selection and sailing schedule; insurance is the buyer's own decision. Under CIF the seller contracts the freight and must buy minimum insurance cover, but risk still passes to the buyer at loading, and the price may include a freight margin and limit your visibility of routing or transhipment. For container cargo, the ICC's Incoterms 2020 rules point to FCA or CIP rather than FOB or CIF, because containers are handed over at a terminal before loading. Ask for quotes on both terms from the same supplier to isolate the freight component and negotiate it separately.

Container Utilization: 20ft vs 40ft High Cube Payloads

Container utilisation directly affects the freight cost per tonne delivered. Pulses are dense, so containers usually reach their weight limit before their volume is full, and a 40-foot unit does not carry twice the tonnage of a 20-foot unit; road weight limits at origin and destination also cap the load. Ask the supplier for its standard net load per container size and compare freight per tonne, not per container. Confirm the supplier can load to the maximum allowable gross weight for your route and that its facility uses a certified scale. Underloaded containers add hidden cost to every shipment.

Import Duties, Phytosanitary Fees, and Customs Brokerage

Import duties, phytosanitary fees and customs brokerage form the regulatory layer of landed cost. Verify the HS classification for each product in the importing country's tariff, because duty treatment can vary by product form and origin. Dried, shelled peas fall under HS 0713.10 and lentils under HS 0713.40, but national tariff lines and preferences differ. Ask your customs broker for its fee schedule, and include a line for demurrage and detention at the discharge port, which carriers charge by the day once free time expires.

Evaluating Supply Chain Reliability and Logistics

How reliable is the supply chain for shipping pulses from Canada year-round? The answer depends on rail corridor capacity, seasonal navigation windows, and the contractual discipline of your counterparty. Canadian lentil production reached a record 3.4 million tonnes in 2025, up 38.3% from a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada, and that surge tests the entire logistics chain from country elevator to vessel hatch. Map the physical route for each origin facility identifying the serving railway, the interchange points, and the terminal operator at the load port. Request the supplier's on-time shipping percentage for the past twelve months broken down by month and corridor.

CN and CPKC Rail Capacity to West Coast Terminals

Rail capacity to West Coast terminals dictates how quickly pulses move from the Prairies to Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Bulk pulses move in hopper cars to terminal elevators, while many pulse shippers load containers, which compete with other intermodal traffic for space. Car and container supply can tighten during the fall harvest and in winter, adding days to the origin-to-port leg. Negotiate contract clauses that define the supplier's obligation to order cars or container space for your shipment and the maximum allowable time from loading to terminal. Ask for the supplier's car order or booking fulfilment record for the previous crop year.

St. Lawrence Seaway Seasonal Closure Impacts

The St. Lawrence Seaway closes every winter. For the 2025-26 season, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation's Seaway Notice No. 14 required all ships to clear the Montreal-Lake Ontario section by 5 January 2026 and targeted reopening on 22 March 2026. The closure affects cargo routed through Great Lakes ports such as Thunder Bay; it does not close the ports of Montreal, Halifax or Saint John, which operate year-round. Pulse Canada identifies the container terminals in British Columbia and Montreal as key gateways for pulse exports, so the closure matters mainly if your supplier plans a Great Lakes loading. If your delivery window falls in winter, confirm the loading port and routing in the contract.

Contract Default History and Force Majeure Clauses

Contract default history and force majeure clauses reveal the supplier's commercial reliability when logistics fail. Request a written disclosure of any force majeure declarations in the past three crop years including the cause, duration, and resolution. A supplier who declared force majeure for rail delays in two of the last three years likely lacks alternative logistics options or overbooks capacity. Review the force majeure clause in their standard contract for carve-outs that excuse performance for "railway failure" or "port congestion" without a requirement to mitigate. Strong contracts obligate the supplier to use commercially reasonable efforts to secure alternate rail routing or transload facilities before claiming excuse. Check the supplier's credit standing through a trade credit insurer or bank references.

Phytosanitary Compliance and Import Permit Requirements

Importing countries usually require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirming that the consignment meets their plant health requirements. Under CFIA directive D-99-06, exporters should obtain the importing country's requirements from their importer before signing contracts or letters of credit, and must supply a copy of the import permit when the CFIA needs it to verify those requirements. Additional declarations are included only when the importing country's plant protection organisation clearly requires them, so share the exact wording with the supplier before shipment.

CFIA Phytosanitary Certificate Application Process

Exporters apply with form CFIA/ACIA 3369, the application for export inspection and phytosanitary certification, for consignments to any country, or through My CFIA, the CFIA's online service, for electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) to the United States and Mexico. Grain and pulse consignments that need a phytosanitary certificate can be sampled under the Canadian Grain Sampling Program. The CFIA's process page for Western Canada grain exporters states that certificates are issued within 10 working days of receipt of the completed forms and related samples, so build that time into the shipping plan. Delays occur when the additional declaration wording does not match the importing country's requirement, so pre-clear the text with your national plant protection organisation and share it with the supplier before the vessel nomination window opens.

Treatment Requirements: Methyl Bromide vs Heat Treatment

Treatment requirements for Canadian pulses depend on the destination country and the target pest. Some importing countries require methyl bromide fumigation against stored-product pests such as bruchids or khapra beetle; the dose, exposure time and minimum temperature are set in the importing country's own schedule, so take them from the import permit or the importer's plant protection organisation rather than from a generic figure. Heat treatment or other options are acceptable only where the importing country's schedule lists them. Under CFIA directive D-99-06, any treatment the importing country officially requires must be supervised or verified by CFIA inspection staff. Confirm the supplier has access to a qualified treatment provider near the load port, and lock in the treatment method before the sales contract is finalised.

Destination Country Pest Risk Analysis Alignment

Pest risk alignment determines whether Canadian pulses can enter without restrictive conditions. Importing countries change their phytosanitary requirements from time to time, so the buyer should confirm the current conditions with its own national plant protection organisation before each contract, and the supplier should confirm that the CFIA can certify any additional declaration requested. If a requirement cannot be certified from Canada, resolve it before shipment rather than at the border.

Contract Structures and Payment Risk Management

Standardized contract frameworks and secure payment instruments reduce commercial risk when trading Canadian pulses across borders. Payment terms typically range from cash against documents to irrevocable letters of credit at sight or deferred payment. Buyers should align the contract jurisdiction and arbitration venue with the contract form selected because GAFTA defaults to English law and London arbitration. Clear sampling protocols and pre-shipment inspection clauses prevent costly disagreements at destination.

GAFTA Standard Contract Adoption

GAFTA standard contract forms give both parties a predictable legal framework, and many international pulse trades use them, although Canadian exporters also sell on their own contract terms. GAFTA forms contain standard clauses on notices, force majeure and default and refer disputes to GAFTA arbitration, but the quality specification is for the parties to set. Buyers should attach a detailed quality schedule as an annex listing the exact specifications, including CGC grade, moisture, pesticide residue limits and allergen controls. Any deviation from the standard form should be initialled by both parties to avoid ambiguity during dispute resolution.

Letter of Credit vs Documentary Collection Terms

Letters of credit and documentary collections represent the main payment risk spectrum for Canadian pulse imports. An irrevocable letter of credit at sight issued by a sound bank protects the seller against buyer default and assures the buyer that payment is made only against documents that comply with the credit. Under the ICC's UCP 600 rules banks deal with documents, not goods, so quality protection depends on the inspection certificates the credit requires. Deferred-payment letters of credit at 60 or 90 days after the bill of lading date help buyers manage working capital but need the seller's agreement and may carry a confirmation fee. Documentary collections (cash against documents or documents against acceptance) are cheaper but carry no bank payment undertaking, so the seller bears the risk of non-payment. For new trade relationships a letter of credit at sight is common; as trust builds, buyers often move to collections or open account, with the seller sometimes insuring the receivable.

Quality Dispute Arbitration and Sampling Protocols

Quality dispute arbitration and sampling protocols define how disagreements over grade and condition are resolved without litigation. GAFTA contracts refer disputes to their arbitration panels in London. The critical operational detail is the sampling protocol: the contract should mandate a representative composite sample drawn at load port by a recognized superintendent company such as SGS or Intertek following GAFTA 124 or ISO 24333 methods. The contract should state how many sealed sample sets are drawn, who holds them, and which laboratory's result is final if the parties' results differ. Buyers must ensure the contract specifies the exact laboratory methods for moisture, protein, ochratoxin A and pesticide residues because method variance can shift a lot from pass to fail.

Conclusion

Choosing a Canadian pulse supplier requires a structured evaluation of credentials, processing capability, logistics reliability, and contractual safeguards. Buyers should verify the supplier's licence status with the Canadian Grain Commission and, where required, the CFIA, and its food safety certification first, then confirm the specific grade and specification sheets match the end-use requirements. Total landed cost calculations must include rail freight to port, ocean freight volatility, phytosanitary certification fees, and import duties under the relevant HS codes. Supply chain resilience is tested by asking for the supplier's contingency plan for rail disruptions and their track record of on-time vessel loading at Vancouver or Prince Rupert. Ask the supplier for sustainability data upfront if ESG reporting is mandatory for downstream customers. Communication protocols must be defined in the contract including a named technical contact, response time SLAs, and an arbitration clause consistent with the contract form, such as GAFTA arbitration where a GAFTA form is used. Start with a trial shipment of one container under a letter of credit at sight to validate quality claims and documentation flow before committing to annual volume agreements. Use a B2B marketplace such as Global Trade Plaza to shortlist candidates, then verify each one independently against these criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Canadian pea export price per metric ton?

There is no single export price: offers depend on class, grade, protein, quantity, Incoterm and freight on the day. As a reference, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's September 2026 outlook puts the 2025-26 average Canadian dry pea price at C$300 per tonne, a producer price FOB plant averaged over all types, grades and markets, 26% lower than in 2024-25 because of higher global supply and record Canadian stocks. Export offers add cleaning, bagging, inland freight and port costs, so request a dated firm offer from each shortlisted exporter.

How long does shipping take from Vancouver to Mumbai for yellow peas?

Transit time depends on the carrier service, the number of port calls and any transhipment in Asia, so it differs between sailings. Ask the forwarder for the named service and its published schedule from Vancouver or Prince Rupert to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai), then add the rail leg from the supplier's plant to the port and the terminal cut-off. Plan stock cover on the booked service and allow a buffer for rail delays in the fall and winter, when car and container supply can tighten.

What is the maximum moisture content allowed for Canadian lentils in sea containers?

The Canadian Grain Commission grades lentils other than red as straight grade at up to 14.0% moisture and red lentils at up to 13.0%, according to the moisture chapter of its Official Grain Grading Guide; above those levels lentils are graded tough or damp. These are grading limits, not shipping rules, so many buyers set a lower contractual maximum for long voyages to tropical destinations and require a moisture result from the CGC or an independent inspection company at loading.

Do Canadian pulse suppliers accept letters of credit at sight?

Yes. An irrevocable letter of credit at sight is a common payment instrument for new trade relationships and high-value contracts, because it protects the seller against non-payment and the buyer pays only against compliant documents. Banks check documents, not goods, so list the inspection certificates you need, such as grade, weight and phytosanitary certificates, in the credit. Established buyers may later negotiate documents against payment or open account terms once a reliable record is in place.

How do I read a Canadian Grain Commission grade certificate?

The Canadian Grain Commission issues a Certificate Final for export vessel shipments loaded at terminal elevators. It is Canada's official assurance that, when the vessel departed, the grain loaded met the stated class, grade and any specifications the exporter requested, and it records the official weight. Compare the grade and every specification on it with your contract. The CGC states that a Certificate Final is required for cargo disputes. Container shipments are not automatically officially inspected, so specify the inspection certificate you need in the contract.

What are the HS codes for Canadian yellow peas and red lentils?

Dried, shelled peas, including yellow peas, are classified under HS subheading 0713.10, and dried, shelled lentils, including red lentils whole or split, under HS 0713.40 in the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System. Each importing country adds its own national tariff digits, duty rates and preferences, so confirm the full tariff line in your country's customs tariff and use it consistently on the contract, commercial invoice and import declaration.

Can I get organic certified pulses from Canada in bulk?

Yes, certified organic peas, lentils and chickpeas are available from Canada in bulk bags or 25 kg bags. Ask for the supplier's current organic certificate, issued by a certification body accredited under the Canada Organic Regime, and check that it covers the products and the facility that will pack your order. Then confirm the documents your own market requires for each shipment, for example an electronic certificate of inspection in TRACES for organic imports into the European Union.

What is the typical minimum order quantity for a Canadian pulse exporter?

Many exporters set a minimum of one full container load for bulk or bagged pulses, and some quote larger minimums for bulk vessel cargoes. Smaller trial lots may be possible through traders who consolidate less-than-container-load shipments, but the cost per tonne rises noticeably. Agree the net load per container in the contract, because pulses are dense and containers usually reach their weight limit before they are full.

How are pulse quality disputes resolved after arrival at destination port?

Disputes over quality on arrival are resolved under the sale contract, for example by GAFTA arbitration when a GAFTA form is used. The Canadian Grain Commission does not offer a destination inspection; its dispute processes cover grade and dockage at primary elevators and re-inspection of its own inspections. For bulk cargoes the CGC states that a Certificate Final is required for cargo disputes, so keep it with the sealed load-port samples and analysis reports that the contract requires. Price adjustments are then negotiated or awarded on that evidence.

Does Canada export split pulses or only whole seeds?

Canada exports both whole seeds and processed products such as split red lentils, whole dehulled red lentils and split yellow and green peas. Many processors are based in Saskatchewan, which the provincial government describes as Canada's leader in pulse production and research. Processors use dehulling and splitting lines with cleaning and optical sorting to meet buyer specifications for yield and purity. Ask each processor for recent lot results for the product and grade you need.

What rail freight surcharges apply during Canadian winter months?

Rail rates and any seasonal or winter charges are set in the published tariffs of CN and CPKC and differ by railway, corridor and service, such as hopper cars, box cars or containers. Ask the supplier whether its delivered or FOB price includes rail freight and who bears any rate increase or surcharge between contract and shipment. For winter shipments, also agree the maximum rail transit time to the terminal, because car and container supply can tighten in cold weather.

How do I verify a supplier's Canadian Grain Commission license online?

The Canadian Grain Commission publishes a list of licensed grain companies on grainscanada.gc.ca showing each company's class of licence. It issues four classes: grain dealer, primary elevator, process elevator and terminal elevator; there is no exporter licence. A company not on the list is either exempted, outside the Canada Grain Act or in violation of it. A licence does not certify processing quality, so confirm which facility cleans, splits or sorts your product and audit that facility separately.