Canada's Safflower Seed Industry

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is an annual broadleaf oilseed crop, adapted chiefly to the grain production areas of the western Great Plains. It originally grew wild in Europe, Asia, and perhaps Egypt and was used as a source of cooking oil, food colouring, and cloth dye. Safflower is grown commercially for its high grade oil and its rotational and management benefits. Internationally safflower has a number of uses, however in Canada it is produced primarily for the oilseed and birdseed markets.

The varieties of safflower seed produced in Canada are the saffire, AC stirling, and AC sunset. Of these varieties, the saffire is the most readily produced. The saffire's size, colour, and low oil content render it most suitable to the birdseed market, while the AC stirling serves as a dual purpose seed. AC sunset yield is slightly higher than the saffire, and its size and white seed colour make it desirable birdseed. Other varieties of safflower seed tested include the Finch and the S-208, both of which are not yet registered for use in Canada.

Although safflower is intolerant of high moisture, it requires more water and deeper roots to germinate than other cereal crops. Wet soils reduce safflower emergence, and waterlogging of the soil, even for short periods, reduces stands and yield, especially if temperatures are high. Safflower gives farmers some options in dry land crop rotation with respect to weed and disease control. It can be used in crop rotation with small grains, but should not follow sunflowers, mustard, canola, dry beans, or safflower itself in rotation as these crops are susceptible to several of the same diseases, particularly sclerotinia diseases and leaf spot.

Area of Production

Canadian safflower seed is harvested in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Dark brown and brown soil zones are primarily used in Alberta and Saskatchewan, while in Manitoba safflower is mainly produced in the black soil zone region. The harvested area of safflower seed was 4.0 thousand hectares in 1999 and increased 20% in 2000 to reach 4.8 thousand hectares. Since 2000, safflower seed harvested area has been on a downward trend, falling to 2.4 thousand hectares in 2001 and 1.6 thousand hectares in 2002. Canadian safflower seed production area dropped even further in 2003, as it was too small to be expressed by Statistics Canada.

Yield

Safflower seed yields have been highly variable over the last five years. Yield increased 47% in 2000, rising to 1.40 tonnes per hectare from 0.95 tonnes per hectare in 1999. In 2001, yield decreased to 1.21 tonnes per hectare, followed by an additional 43% decline in 2002 to 0.69 tonnes per hectare. Data is not available for safflower seed yield in 2003, as harvested area and volume of production were too small to be expressed by Statistics Canada. Safflower yields are extremely sensitive to a number of conditions. Evidence shows that yields are closely tied to moisture levels and a good yield will usually depend on accessing deep soil moisture. Another primary factor affecting yields is frost, which dramatically lowers yields. The highest yields are obtained on sandy loam soils with good water holding capacity.

Volume of Production

The volume of production has followed the same trend as the harvested area over the last five years. Production increased 76% in 2000 when it rose from 3,800 tonnes in 1999 up to 6,700 tonnes. In 2001, production fell to 2,900 tonnes and continued to decline in 2002, down to 1,100 tonnes. The volume of safflower production continued to decrease in 2003, as it was too small to be expressed by Statistics Canada. Safflower is a highly vulnerable crop, susceptible to many diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, or complications due to environmental stresses which all contribute to variable volume of production.

Disposition

The quantity of exports has been relatively constant over the last five years, ranging between 800 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes. Canada maintained a trade surplus for safflower until 2001; however, since then, the trade balance for safflower has been negative as imports' share has increased to surpass exports'. The United States is the largest importer of Canadian safflower, importing 790 tonnes of the 791 tonnes that Canada exported in 2003. In the past, other importing countries have included the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain.

Additional Information

The primary use of safflower is for edible oil; however its other uses include birdseed, industrial uses, and the meal or whole seed being fed to dairy cattle. An emerging health-conscious population has created the most significant market for safflower oil, using it in salad oil, margarine, and cooking oil. Safflower is considered wholesome oil because of its high polyunsaturated fatty acid level. The birdseed market caters to pet birds, and to commercial small animals. Normally, the birdseed market commands a premium over the oil market. For industrial use, safflower can be used to produce drying oils, non-yellowing drying paints, alkyd resins in enamels, and caulks and putties. Safflower can also be fed to livestock. Safflower meal is the high protein by-product remaining after extraction of the oil from safflower seeds. Meal from de-hulled seeds is a high quality protein supplement similar to canola meal, but with slightly more protein and energy. It is suitable for all classes of cattle, swine and poultry.

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