January 14, 2005

Canadian Wheat Opening Up Asian Markets

Canadian wheat is being better received by the Asian noodle market with the availability of a new class of wheat known as Canada Western Hard White.

In 2004, Western Canadian farmers grew about 600,000 acres of two new hard white varieties. For 2005, seed is available for about 1.2 million acres.

Explains Dr. Soon-Bin Neoh, managing director of Seberang, "In Asia, nearly 50% of the wheat is used for noodle products. White wheat has the brightness and color as well as the lower enzyme levels required."

Dr. Neoh has evaluated Canada Western Hard White Wheat for various Asian products.

"Canada has a good start, but a lot more marketing effort will be required," advises Neoh. He says some Asian noodle products require wheat with much lower protein levels and Canada will have to decide whether it wants to develop varieties to compete in that market segment.

Canada Western Red Spring Wheat is by far the largest class of wheat grown in Canada, followed by Canada Western Amber Durum. Many observers expect Canada Western Hard White will become the third largest class.