Canadian wheat crop gets high marks

Ample precipitation in Western Canada has yielded nearly 34.3 million tonnes of high-quality wheat that will buoy Canada’s status as a major exporter in 2024-25, according to the New Wheat Crop Report issued by Cereals Canada.

The 2024 report, released Nov. 18, provides a quality and functionality update and highlights Canadian wheat production. Yields exceeded expectations, leading to a 4% increase in non-durum wheat production and an 8% increase in durum wheat production. Quality was excellent for all classes with a high proportion of the crop grading No. 2 or better.

“In the 2024-25 crop year, Canada is expected to export 25.4 million tonnes of wheat to over 80 countries, with the quality and protein content that customers expect,” said Dean Dias, chief executive officer at Cereals Canada, an industry association representing the Canadian cereal grains value chain. “This will make Canada the world’s third largest exporter of wheat and the top exporter of high-quality, high-protein wheat for the second year in a row.”

Some report highlights:

• The Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) crop had average protein content with a very high proportion grading No. 1 or No. 2.
• A high proportion of the Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD) crop graded No. 1 or No. 2 and had average to higher-than average protein content.
• The Canadian Prairie Red Spring (CPSR) crop had average protein content, and a very high proportion graded No. 1 or No. 2.
• A high proportion of the Canadian Eastern Soft Red Winter (CESRW) crop graded No. 1 or No. 2 with protein content that is slightly lower than average.

A cereals value chain delegation composed of Cereals Canada experts, value chain members, producer representatives and the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) will embark on four international trade and technical missions with 18 markets that purchased C$8 billion ($6.15 billion) worth of Canadian wheat in 2023.

“The New Crop Trade and Technical Missions help strengthen the competitiveness of the Canadian cereal industry,” Dias said. “Our targeted, in-market outreach provides opportunities to build relationships and create advocates for our industry, while engaging in market access discussions. It goes beyond simply providing updates on the quality of Canadian wheat.”

The New Wheat Crop Report is prepared and presented annually in partnership with the CGC, value chain members and provincial grower commissions. This fall, Cereals Canada received more than 115 samples of Western Canadian wheat from eight grain exporters for analysis. The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) contributed an assessment of Eastern Canadian winter wheat for the report.

To read Canada’s 2024 New Wheat Crop report and download the 2024 Crop Summary, visit cerealscanada.ca/2024-wheat-crop.

Source: World Grain