Grain bound for Asia typically departs from one of two west coast ports: Prince Rupert or Vancouver. Vancouver is the largest of these ports, with six terminal elevators and 58% of total grain exports. Prince Rupert has only one terminal elevator despite accounting for 19% of Canada's grain exports.
Most grain destined for Europe or the Middle East departs from Thunder Bay, Ontario, which has eight terminal elevators and accounts for 21 percent of exported grain. Less than 1% is also exported via the east coast port of Churchill via a single port terminal. Export volumes from west coast ports have increased compared to east coast ports in recent years. This is partly due to a decline in trade with Europe compared with Asia and partly due to lower shipping rates in the Pacific region.