Statistics Canada says strong demand from China helped lift canola exports to a record 845 million dollars in January -- a sharp rebound for a sector threatened by a trade dispute last year.

China had threatened to toughen restrictions on the amount of weeds and other foreign materials permitted in Canadian canola exports, due to disease concerns.

The dispute was partially resolved as part of wider talks between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, with an agreement signed in September to maintain the current levels until early 2020.

The Canola Council of Canada says exports could be further boosted if Canada and China were to reach a free trade deal.