Canadian Special Crops

The term special crop is used to define a diverse group of crops including: pulses (chick peas, dry beans, dry peas, and lentils), buckwheat, canary seed, forages, ginseng, herbs (medicinal plants), spices, industrial hemp, mustard seed, safflower seed, seeds (for sowing), sunflower seed, sugar beets, tobacco, and wild rice. It is a catch-all category for those crops not included in major grains and oilseeds or horticultural crops. Within this broad category, there are eight major pulse and special crops: chick peas, dry beans, dry peas, lentils, buckwheat, canary seed, mustard seed, and sunflower seed.

Canadian production of the eight major pulse and special crops has fluctuated over the past decade, from a low of 2,305 thousand tonnes in 1996 to a high of 4,933 thousand in 2000. Large increases in production over the past decade can be partially explained by producers diversifying into alternative crops as a result of low cereal grain prices. This has resulted in the expansion of the special crops handling, marketing, and processing industry, generating increased employment and secondary benefits, especially for the rural areas of Canada.

Drought conditions prevailing in western Canada in 2001 and 2002 caused a decrease in the production of special crops, down to 3,672 thousand tonnes and 2,782 thousand tonnes respectively, a decline of almost 44%. However, production rebounded in 2003, rising to 3,664 thousand tonnes and is expected to increase further in 2004, up to 4,526 thousand tonnes.

In 2002, special crop farm cash receipts (FCR) reached $1.51 billion, accounting for 4.2% of total Canadian FCR. The value of special crop FCR fell in 2003, accounting for only $1.28 billion and 3.8% of total Canadian FCR. These figures are underestimated as FCR are not available for buckwheat.

The Canadian special crops industry is highly export oriented, with an estimated 70% of yearly production being sold abroad. Canada was the world's largest exporter of dry peas, lentils, canary seed, and mustard seed in 2003. It also held a significant share of the world's exports of chick peas, dry beans, and buckwheat.

Traditionally, special crops market development has been carried out by individual marketing companies and agents, but grower and trader associations have developed joint, long-term marketing plans for the industry as a whole. These planning and generic promotion activities are intended to augment the efforts of individual companies, and are often supported financially from a variety of government programs. The Canadian government has provided assistance in the development and implementation of long-term plans through the Long Term Industry Strategy (LTIS) process. In addition, the removal of restrictive trade⁽¹⁾ barriers by some importing nations would facilitate the expansion of special crops exports.

Several industry organizations have been created to promote the development of the industry. A list of organizations is included with each special crop profile.

For additional information on special crops, please contact the
Special Crops Section
Horticulture and Special Crops Division
Food Value Chain Bureau
Markets and Trade Team
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

(1)  Forecast based on August-July crop year, Market Analysis Division, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, July 5, 2004.