Oats production in Canada

Oats have a long and uncertain pedigree, being known since early historical times, for example to the ancient Greeks. Oats are grown in approximately 23 countries around the world. These are concentrated mainly in the northern hemisphere, but also in Australia and Argentina in the southern hemisphere.

Canada is the largest global oats exporter and has one of the largest oat-milling industries in the world, accounting for 15% of total global production and roughly 60% of global exports.

Oats are well suited for production under marginal environments (such as cool climates and soil with limiting nutrients) in comparison to other cereal crops. Western Canada is suited for oat production as many oat varieties flower and mature quickly in the short season conditions.

Production has increase in Manitoba and Saskatchewan since 1995. Both provinces have a closer proximity to the Midwestern US milling market.

The oats markets of Canada and the United States are more closely integrated than the markets of most other commodities.
Oats production in Canada