Canada's Canary Seed Industry

Canada is the world's largest producer and exporter of canary seed (Phalaris canariensis), a cool-season crop grown in Saskatchewan and other parts of western Canada. It grows best on heavy clay or clay loam, moisture retentive soils. Native to southern Europe and the Middle East, this meter-tall grass is a major component of feed mixtures for caged and wild birds. Canary seed is currently used almost exclusively as birdseed.

Traditionally, the two registered canary seed varieties produced in Canada are Keet and Elias. However, Canada recently developed a new glabrous (hairless) kind of canary seed registered under the trademark Canario^TM.

Canario^TM is expected to replace traditional canary seed over the next few years, because it maintains the high protein of regular canary seed, while being less irritating to the skin during handling. This makes it the perfect option for birdseed processors and packagers. It will also further enhance Canada's competitive edge in the canary seed market by increasing the volume of seed per shipping container and by eliminating the oiling and polishing steps in processing.

New Canario^TM varieties are subject to strict quality standards. Based on commercial pedigreed seed standards, Canario^TM varieties must be 97% hairless in order to bear the Canario^TM trademark, which is the processor's guarantee of purity.

Area of Production

The harvested area of canary seed was 146 thousand hectares in 1999, increasing to 164 thousand hectares in 2000. In 2001, harvested area fell slightly to 163 thousand hectares. The area of production rebounded by almost 39% in 2002, improving to 227 thousand hectares and continued to grow in 2003, rising to 243 thousand hectares. The upward trend is expected to be maintained in 2004, with the area of production of canary seed increasing to 260 thousand hectares. ⁽¹⁾

Yield

Overall, canary seed yield has decreased over the past five years. In 1999, yield was 1.14 tonnes per hectare, decreasing 39% to 0.70 tonnes per hectare in 2001. Yield began to increase slowly in 2002, rising to 0.78 tonnes per hectare, followed by another increase to 0.90 tonnes per hectare in 2003. The forecast for 2004 is for canary seed yield to drop slightly, down to 0.87 tonnes per hectare. ⁽¹⁾

Volume of Production

Internationally, Canada produced almost 84% of the total world canary seed production in 2003. Saskatchewan accounts for the largest share of Canadian production, producing almost 84% of Canadian canary seed in 2003; the remainder is produced by Manitoba and Alberta. Canary seed production was 166 thousand tonnes in 1999, increasing slightly in 2000 to 171 thousand tonnes. Production saw a large decrease in 2001, falling 33% to 114 thousand tonnes. This drop in production was due to a reduced seeded area, lower than average yields, and poor weather conditions. In 2002, production rebounded 54% to 176 thousand tonnes, followed by an additional 25% increase in 2003 to 220 thousand tonnes. The upward trend is expected to be maintained in 2004 with production increasing to 225 thousand tonnes, due to an increase in seeded area. ⁽¹⁾

Disposition

In 2003, approximately three quarters of Canadian canary seed production was exported, mostly to Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, and the United States. Between 1999 and 2001, canary seed exports increased 14% from 145 thousand tonnes to 165 thousand tonnes. Export volume fell in 2002 to 146 thousand tonnes; however, it rebounded in 2003, rising to 17% to 170 thousand tonnes. Canadian exports of canary seed are expected to increase to 175 thousand tonnes in 2004, due to an increased supply. ⁽¹⁾

Additional Information

As populations and incomes continue to grow, and as an increasing number of people around the world are keeping birds as pets, the demand for canary seed looks strong.

Canadian researchers are exploring the possibility of extending the use of canary seed to human consumption. Because of its high protein, oil, and unsaturated fat content, the seed has good potential as human food. It could be used in multigrain bread and in condiments, as well as having the potential as a fat substitute because of its high (84%) unsaturated edible oil content. In addition, canary seed has a high starch content making it suitable for some industrial uses, such as the cosmetics sector. This penetration into human consumption and industrial use markets is expected to dramatically increase the demand for Canadian canary seed over the next decade.

For the latest market information and analysis available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, please consult the following publications:

• Canada: Pulse and Special Crops Outlook
• Bi-weekly Bulletin
• Drought Watch

⁽¹⁾  Forecast based on August-July crop year, Market Analysis Division, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, April 28, 2004.