Total production of wheat, barley, corn and oats in 2016-17 is forecast to reach 52,6 million tonnes, only 240 tons lower than the previous year’s total production levels of 52,8 million tonnes. Canada ranks 5th in the world wheat production, 3rd in oat production.

Canada is in the north of North America. From Pasific to Northern Arctic Ocean, Canada has the second largest area (9,093,507 square kilometers) in the world. 7,8 percent of its land is arable and 10 percent of workforce is employed in this sector.

According to data from Canada National Millers Association, in 2015 approximately 59 kilograms of wheat flour was available for consumption per person in Canada. Consumption per person in 2010 that is 62,5 kilograms is declined approximately 3,5 kilogram in 5 years. According to the report of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), for 2016/17 season, consumption per person is predicted to be 81,3 kilograms.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAIN PRODUCTION IN CANADA Canada has approximately 55 commercial wheat and oat mills situated from Pacific to Atlantic coasts. According to the Strategis profile, there were 98 establishments in Canada that fell within this industrial classification. Of these, 48 are wheat milling establishments. An additional 7 are industrial scale oat milling establishments. The remainder are primarily specialized milling (oats, barley, corn, dried fruits and vegetables, pulses and other specialty crops).

The grains that Canada produce the most are wheat and corn. Producing 29,2 million tons in 2014, Canada is estimated to product 31,7 million tons in 2016/17 season. Canada ranks 5th in the world wheat production, 3rd in oat produtiction and 9th in wheat export, 2nd in oat export.

Canada is one of the top 10 wheat producers. The other grains that Canada produce the most are barley, oat and rye. According to data of International Grains Council (IGC) in January, in 2015/16 season 2,5 million tons wheat is used for food consumption, 900 thousand tons for industrial and 3,4 million tons for feed. According to the data of U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA) in January, for 2016/17 season Canada’s wheat production is estimated to be 28,7 million tons.

According to data of International Grains Council (IGC) in January, for 2016/17 season Canada’s wheat production is estimated to be 31,7 million tons with 4 million tons rising according prior year. According to the report of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2016 Canada’s wheat production is estimated to be 28,9 million tons with rising according prior year.

As one of the world’s major wheat exporters, Canada’s wheat export was 23,9 million tons in 2014/15 season and 21,7 millon tons in 2015/16 season according to IGC data. According to FAO data, wheat export is predicted to be 21,5 million tons in 2016/17 with 500 thousand tons rising.

GRAIN PRODUCTION IN CANADA According to the report of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the grain that Canada produce the most is wheat. When the wheat production between 2010 and 2014 seasons is reviewed, it is seen that the production amount varies between 23 and 37,5 million tons. Canada’s wheat production that was 25,2 million tons in 2011 season, increased to 27,2 million tons in the following season. Wheat production is reached 37,5 million tons with record rising in 2013 season and is decreased 29,2 million tons in 2014 season.

Another prominent product in Canada’s grain production is corn. When country’s corn production between 2010 and 2014 seasons is reviewed; it is seen that production varies between 10,6 and 14,1 million tons. Canada’s corn production, which was 10,6 million tons in 2011, reached to 14 million tons by rising in 2013. Amount of corn production is 11,4 million tons in 2014. Other prominent product in Canada’s grain production is barley. Country’s barley production is between 7,6 and 10 million tons in between 2010 and 2013 years. The amount of barley production is 7,1 million tons in 2014.

GRAIN TRADE IN CANADA Leading grain product of Canada’s export is wheat. Canada has realized wheat export varying between 16,3 and 19,2 million tons between 2009 and 2012 years. This amount is increased 19,8 million in 2013. Canada’s oat export amount, which was 1,5 and 1,6 million tons between 2009 and 2012 years, was decreased 1,4 million tons in 2013.

Canada’s grain trade is corn and wheat. According to the FAO’s report, Canada corn import was 1,5 million tons in 2010. But, the amount of corn import is decreased 887 thousand tons in 2013 with record declining. Canada’s wheat import which is 96 thousand tons in 2012, is decreased 46 thousand tons in 2013. Canada’s barley import amount is 4 thousand tons in 2012 and 19 thousand tons in 2013.

FLOUR TRADE IN CANADA According to the FAO’s report, Canada wheat flour export was 146 and 196 thousand tons between 2010 and 2013 years. Canada which is exported 146 thousand tons wheat flour in 2012, increased this amount to 166 thousand tons in 2013. Canada’s wheat flour import shows an unsteady graphic. Import amount which was 103 thousand tons in 2011, was increased 307 thousand tons in 2012 and is decreased 122 thousand tons in 2013.

CANADA FLOUR INDUSTRY Canadian wheat mills process approximately 3.1 million tonnes of Canadian wheat annually, of which, approximately 75% is produced in western Canada. Total flour and other milled wheat products destined for human consumption are about 2.4 million tonnes annually. Some is destined for manufacturing of animal feeds and pet foods. Small quantities of wheat flour are used for non-food industrial further processing.

Canadian oat mills process approximately 600,000 tonnes of milling quality oats annually.

The Cereal Production industry has struggled over the past five years, with economic conditions largely guiding demand fluctuations. According to industry operator, General Mills, Canada ranks third in the world in per capita cereal consumption, at an annual 4.7 kilograms per person, only behind the United Kingdom and Australia.

According to the sources of ADM, Canadian wheat mills, which produce a host of flours, bakery mixes, and ingredients such as bran and wheat germ, are located in Calgary and Medicine Hat, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Montreal, Quebec; and Midland, Mississauga, and Port Colborne, Ontario. Their collective daily processing capacity is approximately 4,000 metric tons.

The milling industry has undergone extensive modernization and significant capacity expansion between the mid 1990s and 2010. The Canadian cereal grain milling industry employs approximately 1,400 production workers and an additional 500 persons in other capacities.