Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Canada grew steadily, supported by increased domestic wheat production due to expanded planted areas and favorable yields in the Prairies, alongside sustained demand from North American fast-food chains for high-protein bakery flour. The market then surged by 1 371 thousand tonnes in 2020 as imports spiked dramatically, although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed many bakeries and restaurants, altering demand patterns.

In 2021, severe drought in Western Canada significantly reduced wheat yields, cutting domestic production and necessitating higher imports, which pushed the market volume to a peak of 4 050 thousand tonnes. The following year, the Ukraine war and associated global supply chain disruptions caused imports to plummet, leading to a sharp contraction in the market by 1 675 thousand tonnes despite improved Canadian wheat production.

By 2023, the market recovered modestly as Canadian farmers planted wheat on the largest area in over two decades, boosting production, while imports began to rebound from the previous year's lows.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Canada's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 488 K t, up 1.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 6.4%, averaging an annual increase of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production has risen in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 553 M $ US, showing a moderate increase of 4.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 27%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Canada's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have increased. In 2020, export volume reached 218 K t, remaining largely unchanged from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 31.9%, averaging an annual decline of 12.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 218 K t, with the largest drop of 23.8% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 73.1% of Canada's total exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind, while the remaining flows were distributed among various smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year contraction, Canada's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have increased in value. In 2020, exports amounted to 136.3 M $ US, marking a modest rise of 3.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 132.3 M $ US, and the largest decline of 17.4% also occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the dominant market for Canada's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, capturing 85.2% of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2020, imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 1 370-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies to Canada reached 1 433 K t, reflecting a sharp increase of 1 364.7% year-over-year. The largest decline of 4.5% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 9 701.2% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated Canada's import structure for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind, consistently representing 96.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, Canada's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have increased in value. In 2020, import volume stood at 44.4 M $ US, indicating a moderate rise of 5.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.2%, averaging an annual decline of 5.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 42.2 M $ US, and the largest decline of 16.0% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States was the dominant supplier of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Canada in value terms, accounting for 75.9% of total imports, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020