Did you know?
The price of bread
Wheat is the major ingredient in bread, but it's a small part of the price.
In fact, wheat accounts for less than 10 per cent of the cost of bread you buy in the store.
- A bushel of wheat will make about 67 standard-sized, 454-gram (16-ounce) loaves of bread. A farmer receives about $6.50 for a bushel, which works out to less than 8 cents per loaf. However, you will likely pay between $1.50 and $2 for your loaf of bread.
- A bushel of wheat makes about 45 larger, 675 gram (24-ounce) loaves. A farmer receives $6.50 for each bushel, which works out to less than 13 cents for each loaf. However, you will likely pay between $2 and $3 for your bread.
- The farmer actually keeps only a tiny fraction of that 8 - 13 cents. He or she has to pay transportation costs, plus all the costs of growing the wheat, including seed, fertilizer, and the costs of purchasing and operating farm equipment like tractors and combines.
- At the 2011 domestic value, there is 13 cents worth of wheat in each loaf. At 2010 values, there was about eight cents worth of wheat in the loaf. This represents a 60 per cent increase in returns for grain exports, against a five-cent increase in the commodity value per loaf sold in Canada. (March 2011)
The price of pasta
Durum wheat is used to make quality pasta such as spaghetti and macaroni. Semolina from durum is the only ingredient in most pasta - yet it accounts for only a portion of the price.
- A bushel of durum wheat will make about 18 kilograms of pasta - or about 20 standard-sized 900-gram packages of pasta. A farmer receives about $8.25 for a bushel of durum, which works out to about 42 cents per package of pasta. However, you will likely pay $2 or more for your pasta.
- The farmer keeps a small fraction of that 42 cents. He or she has to pay to transport the durum off the farm, plus all the costs of growing the durum, including seed, fertilizer, and the costs of purchasing and operating farm equipment like tractors and combines.
Prairie farm facts
About 75,000 farmers grow wheat, durum and barley on the Canadian Prairies.
- Canada is second in terms of wheat exports by volume. Ranking just after the United States, from 2005 to 2010, Canada exported an average of 17.6 million tonnes. Find out more on the Canadian Grain Commission web site at www.grainscanada.gc.ca.
- Farms are bigger in western Canada: according to Agriculture Canada, the average Saskatchewan farm covers 1,300 acres, compared to 230 acres for the average Ontario farm.
- An average acre of Prairie farmland can grow enough wheat each season to make 1,650 loaves of bread. Most Prairie grain is planted in early May and harvest usually begins in mid-August.
- 900 new students of agriculture are enrolled this year at two prestigious western universities - the University of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Bioresources and the University of Manitoba's Agriculture and Food Sciences. Agriculture is a great career!
The world loves western Canadian wheat
More than 70 countries buy grain produced by western Canadian farmers.
- Western Canadian farmers feed the world: their durum wheat accounts for about 50 per cent of all international durum sales and their wheat accounts for about 15 per cent of all international wheat sales.
- Wheat grown on the Canadian Prairies is used to make doughnuts in Japan, pasta in Italy, bread in Mexico and noodles in China.
- Did you know that Canada cares so much about the quality and integrity of its grain that shipments to customers are monitored by grain quality specialists? The Canadian Grain Commission is a federal agency that assesses quality and monitors the weighing of each and every shipment for Canadian and international markets.
- Western Canadian farmers exported almost 19 million tonnes! of wheat and barley last year. That's a lot of grain!
The details on durum
- Canada is the number one exporter of durum in the world. In
2008-09, Canada exported 3.6 million tonnes of durum. - The biggest buyers of Prairie durum in 2008-09 were Algeria, USA, Morocco, Italy and Venezuela.
- Western Canadian farmers grow the highest-quality durum in the world. Optimal soil and climate conditions, superior plant science and advanced farm-management practices enable Prairie farmers to produce the world's best.
- Durum is milled to produce semolina, a granular product that is coarser than regular wheat flour. Semolina is the basic ingredient in all fine pasta.
- Durum semolina is coveted for pasta because it does not become mushy or sticky when properly cooked. Durum wheat gives pasta ideal gluten strength and protein content, a bright yellow colour, and, of course, great taste.
- People in more than 40 countries eat pasta and couscous made from Canadian Prairie durum.
- Durum is the fourth-largest crop in Canada, after spring wheat, canola and barley.
- Canada has one of the most sophisticated grain quality-control systems in the world, which helps maintain the international reputation of western Canadian durum. This system is based on four cornerstones: stringent variety registration; a strict grading system overseen by the Canadian Grain Commission; excellent uniformity of shipments, which results from blending durum grown in multiple regions; and strict cleaning procedures and food safety systems that make all western Canadian grain among the safest in the world.
Amazing Ag Adventure
Who wants to learn about plants and how they grow? Grades 4 and 5 students in Manitoba do!
In this photo, Janice Smith of the CWB, shows a handful of energetic students how wheat grows from the tillering stage into the golden grain that makes bread on their plate. Each year, CWB staff participate in Amazing Agriculture Adventure, a day of hands-on learning to promote interest and awareness of agriculture in Manitoba schools. The event is hosted by Agriculture in the Classroom.
Canada's Food Guide
- Canada's Food Guide recommends
4 - 8 servings of grain products per day - By following Canada's Food Guide, you can get one serving of a grain product with one slice of bread, a half bagel , pita or tortilla.
- Make at least half of your grain products whole grain each day. Enjoy whole grain breads, oatmeal or whole wheat pasta.
- Choose grain products that are low in fat, sugar or salt. Compare the nutrition facts table on labels to make wise choices.