Canary seed is looking to bounce back in 2024-25, despite declines in production and exports during the current year.

David Nobbs, chair of the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan and pulse merchant for Purely Canada Foods, says exports are on pace for 110,000 to 120,000 tonnes in 2023-24, compared to 150,000 to 160,000 in a typical year.

Statistics Canada projected 125,000 tonnes of exports for 2023-24, compared to 147,000 the previous year.

He cites reasons for the slowdown such as competition from other countries and a lack of demand in Europe, but also a five-cent per pound discount for new crop compared to old crop, United States millet prices at 10 U.S. cents per pound and a Brazilian ban on Canadian canary seed due to phytosanitary concerns.

However, prices for new crop have stayed the same compared to last year – at around 36 cents/lb. – and hasn’t come down compared to other major crops.