Wheat production in Canada
If you look at worldwide total wheat production, Canada ranks as the seventh largest wheat- producing country. Yet, Canada is the largest producer of high protein milling wheat in the world. Canada's milling wheat is desired for its superior bread-making abilities. The majority of wheat is exported to other countries.
Canada's annual wheat export revenues reach close to $5.4 billion... making wheat the highest earner of all exported agricultural products. Major buyers of Canadian wheat include China, South Korea and Japan.
Wheat is Canada's largest crop in terms of both area seeded and production. All provinces grow wheat, except Newfoundland and Labrador; although the following four provinces are the major producers:
Saskatchewan - 48%
Alberta - 16%
Manitoba - 28%
Ontario - 7%
Wheat grown in Canada
Wheat is a hardy plant. Over the years, plant researchers have created new varieties of wheat and improved old varieties in order to produce high-quality, high-yield wheat that adapts well to Canada's growing season.
In Canada, the types of wheat most often grown are:
- Common (non-durum) wheat, which is classified as either hard or soft, and
- Durum wheat
| Hard Wheat | Includes hard winter wheats and hard spring wheats, which contain more gluten-producing proteins than soft wheat. Used for making bakery flours, bread flours, and all purpose flours. |
Soft Wheat |
Low in gluten-producing proteins. Usually milled into cake, pastry or cake and pastry flours. |
Durum Wheat |
Generally high in gluten-producing proteins. Used for making semolina and flours which are made into Indian flat bread, macaroni and other pastas. |