Soy Canada is looking back on a successful trade mission to China, which took place November 1 - 12. The trip included stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou

The large delegation was led by federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay.

Soy Canada Executive Director Jim Everson says they wanted to make the Chinese industry aware that western Canada is open for business.

"China is importing very large volumes of soybeans from around the world, mostly from Brazil and the United States," he explained. "Importers are very interested in having another source of imports, so to hear about Canada's ability to export, and Canada's growing acreage and growing production. I think they're very interested."

Everson noted that most of China's soybean imports are being used for animal feed due to the growing middle class eating more meat.

Over the last five years, exports of Canadian soybeans and soy products to China have increased to 1.16 million metric tonnes at a value of $588 million in 2015.

Canada is the fifth largest supplier of soybeans to China.