Photo: File

Canadian flax prospects dimmed by China’s silk road

Winnipeg | CNS – China’s construction of a new “silk road” connecting the country to Europe isn’t likely to be good news for Canadian flax exporters. For several years, Canada has been the main exporter of flax to China but that could likely change if Kazakhstan ever has a direct link to the China. “We […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Lower Prairie flax production, decent quality expected

CNS Canada — What’s really happening with this year’s flax crop is going to be revealed in the next few weeks as farmers get into their fields. Statistics Canada predicted in a production report, released Aug. 31, that both Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s flax production this year would be 13.7 per cent less than in 2016. […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

China’s requirements leave Canadian flax piling up

CNS Canada –– Stalled demand from a key international buyer has caused a buildup of flax inventories in Canada, with more crops on the way. Demand on the ingredient side of the flax market has been steady, said Mike Popowich of processing firm TA Foods at Yorkton, Sask. “But we’ve experienced a bit of a […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax Council cautions on seed integrity

With the latest official acreage estimates showing a jump in flax acres across much of Western Canada, the Flax Council of Canada is urging caution. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s latest Seeded Acreage Report is expecting 1.1 million acres to go into the ground this year, putting pressure on seed supplies, and putting the integrity of […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Higher prices could give flax acres a chance

CNS Canada — Strong demand for Canadian flax, combined with small production, has driven prices up, which could tempt producers making seeding choices this spring. Last year, the amount of flax seeded in Canada was down about a third from the previous growing season. As a result, stocks are short, despite large carryover. Demand, however, […] Read more


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European flax demand shifts to Canada over Dow herbicide

Winnipeg-Hamburg/Reuters – Demand for Canadian flax, used in linoleum flooring and health foods, has pushed prices of the oilseed to one-year highs as Europe shuns Russian supplies laced with a herbicide made by Dow Chemical Co. The European Union, the world’s second-largest importer of flax after China, slashed acceptable levels for haloxyfop by 90 per […] Read more

Photo: File

Agriculture and AgriFood Canada raises 2016-17 grain and oilseed ending stock projections

Winnipeg/CNS Canada – Ending stocks of Canada’s major grains and oilseeds are forecast to be slightly higher than earlier estimates, according to the latest supply and demand projections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s market analysis division, released December 21. Total ending stocks for the major grains and oilseeds are expected to total 13.500 million tonnes by […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Prairies tell a tale of two flax crops

CNS Canada — A large portion of Canada’s flaxseed crop is still in the field, leaving questions over the size and quality of what will eventually be harvested. About a third of the flaxseed crop is still left in the field in Saskatchewan, by the estimate of Tom Leier, senior grain buyer with Scoular Special […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax growers scout soggy fields as prices edge upward

CNS Canada — Producers are assessing the effects of weekend rains that soaked flax crops in Western Canada, while prices have ticked up slightly as data reflects shrinking acres. Flax fields in western Manitoba saw thunderstorms and powerful winds, which knocked out power in some areas of the province during the weekend. Parts of southeastern […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax industry fighting to regain lost acres

CNS Canada — After losing ground to pulses this year, a flax industry group is working on ways to be competitive going forward. “It’s the year of the pulses, and certainly growers are taking advantage of good prices for pulses,” said Don Kerr, president at the Flax Council of Canada, referring to the United Nations […] Read more