A hemp plant grows on a research crop plot at the Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization near Melita. Photo: Alexis Stockford

Canadian hemp stable, but stuck on growth

Canada’s hemp industry hopes better hybrid varieties and yields, clearer regulations and new markets might help their crop break past its current ceiling and into stronger growth

Canada’s hemp industry hopes hybrid varieties, better yields, clearer regulations and new markets can help the crop break past its ceiling and get Canadian farmers planting more hemp acres.

A sunflower crop in bloom near Rathwell in central Manitoba in late July 2025.

Made-in-Manitoba sunflower hybrid heads to market

Manitoba Crop Alliance lands U.S. co-operative CHS to commercialize the first confection sunflower variety to come out of their homegrown breeding program

Manitoba’s confection sunflower growers will have a new seed option next spring that was developed specifically for perform in the province. The pending commercialization of one of their hybrids is a milestone for the Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), the commodity group that represents the province’s sunflower growers. The organization has invested in its own sunflower