(Dave Bedard photo)

Latest StatCan stocks report ‘least important of them all’

Wheat, canola numbers not expected to have significant impact on markets

MarketsFarm — For MarketsFarm Pro analyst Mike Jubinville, there was little in the latest Statistics Canada (StatCan) grain stocks report that would budge the markets. “When I look at the run of StatCan reports that we get through the year, whether they’re acreage, production or ending stocks, this report in May is the least important

(Dave Bedard photo)

Canada’s expected flax area smallest since 1950

Other commodity prices outperforming flax

MarketsFarm — Blue flowery fields of flax will be fewer and farther between in Western Canada, according to Statistics Canada’s (StatCan) first survey-based seeding intentions report for 2023-24. In a report released late last month, StatCan projected only 689,000 acres of flaxseed to be planted this spring, an 11.6 per cent decrease from the year


“There seems to be an excess on the market, which is weighing on prices and has been over the last couple of months.”

Prices have plunged but Canadian flax still too pricey for most

China has been upping its purchases of cheaper Russian flax while Europe is buying from Kazakhstan

Flax prices have fallen by half from a year ago but are still too high to be competitive on a global level, according to one flax processor. Despite being touted as a heart-healthy food, demand for flax remains “fairly weak,” said Mike Popowich, vice president of TA Foods in Yorkton, Sask. “The price is still

(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC revises crop estimates

Export, new-crop production outlooks revised lower for flax

MarketsFarm — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on Friday released its February supply and demand estimates with numerous small changes. AAFC held its projections for 2022-23 grains and oilseeds production at 89.489 million tonnes. As for exports, the department reduced them from 45.715 million tonnes last month to now 45.49 million. Furthermore, domestic usage was



(Flax Council of Canada photo)

Flax Council of Canada seeks new chief

Wayne Thompson moving to WGRF

Canada’s national market development organization for flax and flax products is officially in the market for a chief executive. The Flax Council of Canada said Tuesday its search for a new president is underway, after Wayne Thompson announced in August he has left the position to become executive director of the Western Grains Research Foundation


(Dave Bedard photo)

SaskCanola, SaskFlax merge offices, management

Groups will maintain separate governing boards, levies

Sasskatchewan’s canola and flax development commissions are consolidating their management, staff and office space under one roof. SaskCanola and SaskFlax said Wednesday their new “management collaboration” will translate to efficiencies for both commissions with “a full staff complement to support both boards.” Both organizations will now operate out of the current SaskCanola office at Innovation

Manitoba Milling Co.’s flax beverage.

Manitoba sisters follow parents’ pioneering ways to innovative plant ‘milk’

Since the 1980s and ‘90s, the Pizzeys have believed flax is much more than an industrial oilseed

Three sisters from Russell are forging a new path with a plant-based ‘milk’ they say is packed with benefits. “It’s not only a dairy-free option. Flax seed is full of other nutritious properties,” said Mary Ekman, CEO of Manitoba Milling Company. The company is the retail arm of flax processor Pizzey Ingredients. The three Pizzey



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StatsCan reports sharp decline in field crop stocks

Stocks tighter than most traders had estimated

MarketsFarm — Statistics Canada’s report on the country’s principal field crop stocks, released Friday, reflects an ever-tightening supply brought on by last year’s drought. With the exception of corn and soybeans, all of the crops listed suffered a supply decline of at least 10 per cent compared to the year before, as of March 31.