Canada's Buckwheat Industry

Despite its name, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is not a cereal grain, but rather a fruit or nut. Buckwheat is a broad leaf plant that grows well under a wide range of soil conditions. Although it adapts best to well-drained sandy loam soil, it is often grown on heavier soils when seeding of the major cereals and oilseeds has been prevented by wet conditions. The root system of buckwheat is less extensive than that of a true cereal grain plant. Buckwheat requires less nitrogen than cereal crops and is very efficient in removing phosphorus from the soil for its own needs.

Buckwheat is a well-established crop in Canada and has been grown on the eastern prairies for over a century. Value-added activities and secondary processing of buckwheat are on the rise. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has focused its buckwheat research on determining the crop's functionality and devising an integrated preparation process to generate added value for the food and non-food sectors. The buckwheat industry - through Mancan Genetics and Kade Research Ltd. in Morden, Manitoba - is currently working to develop both uniquely Canadian, frost-resistant buckwheat and a new variety with high starch content. These newer varieties are expected to join the Canadian-developed AC Manitoba and Koban in replacing the traditional Mancan and Manor buckwheat varieties.

The first large-seeded buckwheat variety, Koto, is of interest to millers due to increased starch content and soft starch characteristics. Koto was released in 1998 and began commercial production in Canada in the summer of 2000.

Area of Production

The area of production for buckwheat varied between 13 and 15 thousand hectares from 1997 to 2000 after peaking at 17 thousand hectares in 1995 and remaining at that level in 1996. Since 2000, the harvested area has decreased by 40% from 15 thousand hectares to 9 thousand hectares in 2003. This may be attributed to increased interest in other special crops. For 2004, the area of production of buckwheat is expected to remain stable at 9 thousand hectares. ⁽¹⁾

Yield

Weather-related factors have often triggered highly variable buckwheat yields. Buckwheat yields decreased annually from 1.03 tonnes per hectare in 1998 to 0.92 tonnes per hectare in 2000. This ended in 2001 when yield increased 27% to reach 1.14 tonnes per hectare. The yield decreased once again in 2002 to 1.03 tonne per hectare, rebounding to 1.06 tonnes per hectare in 2003. Despite this low yield, a real opportunity for increased yield with the Koto variety exists as a result of its increased seed density. Buckwheat yield forecast for 2004 is to remain constant. ⁽¹⁾

Volume of Production

In 2003, Manitoba represented the largest share of Canadian buckwheat production, accounting for 54.5%. This share, however, has decreased almost 30% since 2001, due to increasing production in Ontario and Quebec. Canadian production declined annually between 1998 and 2003, with the exception of 2001, from 15 thousand tonnes to 10 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 33%. The volume of production is forecasted to remain steady in 2004, in line with a stable seeded area. ⁽¹⁾

Historically, sensitivity to frost, seed abortion, and lack of weed control have hampered production. The advent of both frost resistant and self-pollinating types of buckwheat has done much recently to overcome these problems. These developments should allow for increased production and returns to the grower in the future.

Disposition

During the period of 1994 to 1996, domestic use accounted for approximately 58% of Canadian buckwheat. In 1997, there was a sharp decrease in domestic use, when it plummeted to 16% of total Canadian buckwheat production. Domestic use increased once again in 1998, rising to 61% of total Canadian buckwheat production. Since 1998, exports have surpassed domestic use. In 2000, exports accounted for 67% of total Canadian buckwheat production. In 2001, drought conditions negatively affected most of the Prairie crops, including buckwheat, which caused exports to decrease to 7.4 thousand tonnes tonnes, 20% below 2000 levels. Despite this dip in export quantity, exports still accounted for 52% of total buckwheat production. The poor weather conditions accompanied by disease, worsened in 2002 and exports dropped an additional 27% to 5.4 thousand tonnes, accounting for only 44% of total production. In 2003, buckwheat exports declined once again to 5.2 thousand tonnes although the export share of production rose to 53% of total production. Canadian exports are expected to remain relatively stable in 2004 ⁽¹⁾. However, the upward trend in exports is expected to continue over the long term as a result of new seed varieties and the planned launch of a North American campaign promoting buckwheat.

Japan is the largest export market for Canadian buckwheat, accounting for roughly 64% of the total Canadian buckwheat exports in 2003. The next largest market is the United States, which imported approximately 30% of Canadian buckwheat exports in 2003.

Additional Information

Buckwheat is one of the best sources of high-quality, easily digestible protein in the plant kingdom. Its 74% protein absorption rate makes it an excellent meat substitute. It is also very high in carbohydrates as well as in numerous minerals, and vitamins such as zinc, copper, and niacin. This makes buckwheat an ideal ingredient for a wide range of food products. Buckwheat can either be milled into flour or processed into groats and grits. The groats and grits can be eaten roasted or plain; in addition, the roasted groats may be used as a meat extender or as an ingredient in breakfast cereals, soups, and energy bars for athletes. Buckwheat starch can also act as a fat alternative in processed foods.

In Japan, buckwheat flour is mixed with other varieties to produce Soba noodles, a traditional dish. In North America, buckwheat is also used in the chocolate bar and snack food industries.

The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries are undertaking innovative research into the potential use of buckwheat for lowering cholesterol and fighting diabetes. The crop's nectar is also used to make honey, and aspirated buckwheat hulls offer an interesting pillow stuffing alternative to consumers allergic to feathers, dust, and pollen.

The 9th International Symposium on Buckwheat was held from August 18-22 2004 in Prague, Czech Republic. The International Symposium on Buckwheat is held every two or three years, bringing together leading international researchers, policy makers, and scientists to improve research on cultivation, manufacturing techniques, processing, and marketing.

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.