Grain Used for Industrial Purposes Survey (GUIP)

Detailed information for March 31, 2026

The purpose of this survey is to collect data from plants in Western Canada that use grain mainly to produce ethanol or biodiesel.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

The data will be used by Statistics Canada to calculate grain deliveries and to produce supply and disposition statistics. Information from agricultural surveys is used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and other federal and provincial departments for economic research, and to develop and administer agricultural policies.
The information provided may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Statistical activity

The survey is administered as part of the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). The IBSP has been designed to integrate approximately 200 separate business surveys into a single master survey program. The IBSP aims at collecting industry and product detail at the provincial level while minimizing overlap between different survey questionnaires. The redesigned business survey questionnaires have a consistent look, structure and content.

The integrated approach makes reporting easier for firms operating in different industries because they can provide similar information for each branch operation. This way they avoid having to respond to questionnaires that differ for each industry in terms of format, wording and even concepts. The combined results produce more coherent and accurate statistics on the economy.

Reference period: At December 31 and July 31

Collection period: Collected during the two weeks following the reference period.

Subjects

• Agriculture and food (formerly Agriculture)
• Crops and horticulture

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population consists of plants using grain mainly to produce ethanol or biodiesel in Western Canada. Plants using grain for other industrial purposes may also be surveyed.

This is a census of all known companies in Western Canada that use grain for industrial purposes. The total sample size for this survey is 8 units.

Instrument design

The electronic questionnaire was designed by Statistics Canada as part of the Integrated Business Statistics Program. This program incorporates business surveys into a single framework, using questionnaires with a consistent look, structure and content.

The questionnaire content was developed by subject matter specialists through consultation with industry experts.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data are collected for all units of the target population, therefore, no sampling is done.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.

Respondents are contacted by email or letter and given an access code for the electronic questionnaire for the survey, which can be responded to in either official language. Non-response follow-up is conducted via telephone.

The survey, on average, takes respondents 15 minutes to complete.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .