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Good quality and higher-than-average protein content for the 2023 wheat crop

Nov 21, 2023 | 3:00 PM

Even with a large variation in growing conditions across the country, Canadian farmers were still able to produce another top-quality wheat crop.

Cereals Canada released the 2023 New Wheat Crop Report which provides an update on the quality and functionality of Canadian wheat to domestic and global customers.

Dean Dias, chief executive officer at Cereals Canada, said it was a challenging growing season that led to variable yields and below-average production.

“This year, Canadian farmers grew almost 30 million tonnes of high-quality wheat with the protein strength that customers expect,” Dias said.

Canada had excellent quality in all wheat classes for the 2023 crop year, with the majority grading No. 2 or better and average to higher-than-average protein content.

The report stated over 95 per cent of the Canada Western Red Spring crop had average protein content and graded No. 1 and No. 2, while roughly 80 per cent of Canada Western Amber Durum has graded No. 1 and No. 2 with protein content higher than average.

Over 90 per of Canada Prairie Spring Red and Canada Eastern Soft Red Winter graded No. 1 and No. 2, with average protein content.

The technical data is being presented this week at two customer webinars, and at four international trade and technical missions over the coming weeks.

The value chain delegation is scheduled to visit 16 countries in Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This year’s outreach will include a stop in the Philippines, as well as a return to China for the first time since 2019.

Dias said China is a long-term, consistent buyer of Canadian wheat, and they value quality.

“Our targeted customer outreach enables Cereals Canada and the value chain members to connect with customers and provide updates on this year’s quality, while building relationships and engaging in market access discussions,” he said.

The report is prepared in partnership with the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), value chain members, and provincial grower commissions.

This fall, Cereals Canada received samples of Western Canadian wheat from nine grain exporters and conducted the analysis on composite samples for the new crop report with grading support from CGC.

An analysis of wheat from Eastern Canada was provided by Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO).

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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