Quality of Canadian canola 2023

Seeding

Temperatures in south eastern Québec and Ontario were higher than normal in April and slightly lower than normal in May (Figure 2). Precipitation was higher than normal in April and early May in eastern Canada, leading to floods in certain areas. Later in May, precipitation decreased and 70% (Eastern Ontario) to 85% (Eastern Québec) of the canola crop was seed by May 23. By the first week of June, 94% of the crop was seeded in Québec, with seeding completed in the Chaudière-Appalaches, Capitale-Nationale and Montérégie (Saint-Hyacinthe) regions. The regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue (95%), Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (95%) and Bas-Saint-Laurent (90%) were slightly behind.

Like last year, below normal temperatures in April and spring snowstorms caused seeding to be delayed in western Canada compared to historical dates. May temperatures and a lack of precipitation, however, allowed seeding to progress smoothly in most areas. By the end of May, seeding was slightly ahead of the 5-year average in Alberta and slightly behind in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Seeding was considered complete in the Prairies by the second week of June (Figure 6).

Growing season

In Québec, June precipitation was higher than normal, but a moisture deficit still affected all growing areas. Cooler temperatures also affected the development of the canola crops in the area. Temperatures were higher than normal in July for Québec and Ontario (Figure 2). In Québec, wind, rain, and hail in July led to crop damage. In Ontario, record precipitations and field ponding in July affected crop development. In August, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region in Québec finally received some moisture, which greatly helped crop development. All other growing regions in Québec had very humid conditions and wet fields that limited producer access. During this period, weather conditions improved in Ontario.

June temperatures were higher than normal in the Prairies (Figure 2) and precipitation was variable. The hot and dry weather in June accelerated crop development. July daytime temperatures were, for the most part, in the high 20°C to 30°C range (Figure 5), but the nights were cool with temperatures in the single digits (Figure 3). This resulted in July temperatures that were lower than normal in Manitoba and most of Saskatchewan, and slightly higher than normal in Alberta and the Peace River area (Figure 2). The cooler nights slowed crop development somewhat and most canola fields began flowering in July. Warmer than normal temperatures returned in August (Figure 2). The lack of moisture was an issue again this year (Figure 4) and precipitation was mostly localized, in the form of thundershowers. The southern and central regions of Alberta and the west-central and southwestern regions of Saskatchewan experienced drought like conditions during the 2023 growing season (Figure 4). Damage to canola fields was mainly due to heat, lack of moisture and grasshoppers.

Harvest conditions

Good weather conditions allowed Québec producers to start their harvest in September. By September 12, 70% of the canola was harvested in the Montérégie (Saint-Hyacinthe) region, which is consistent with the typical harvest. The canola harvest advanced slowly in September, but the pace picked up in early October due to favorable weather conditions. The Aitibi-Témiscamingue and Bas-Saint Laurent regions still had harvest delays compared to previous years. By the end of October, only 87% of the Québec canola was harvested compared to 91% in 2022 and 98% in 2021. In most regions of Ontario, canola planted in the spring remained in the fields until the end of September. Canola in northern Ontario was harvested in October, like the Aitibi-Témiscamingue region in Québec.

The swathing of canola started on a limited number of fields in mid-August in Manitoba and in the third week of August in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The 2023 canola harvest progressed quickly in the Prairies, due to low precipitation and warm temperatures (Figure 2). The harvest was considered complete by early October (Figure 7), a few days earlier than last year.

April 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023

May 1, 2023 to May 31, 2023

June 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023

July 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023

August 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023

September 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023

Source

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

July 3, 2023

July 10, 2023

July 17, 2023

July 24, 2023

Source

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Conditions as of May 31, 2023

Conditions as of August 31, 2023

Source

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

April 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023

April 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023

Source

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Graph data

Seeding progress (%)

Date	Manitoba	Saskatchewan	Alberta-Peace River
May 2, 2022		1
May 3, 2022	0		2.3
May 9, 2022		14
May 10, 2022	0		7.9
May 16, 2022		33
May 17, 2022	4		29.1
May 23, 2022		52
May 24, 2022	10		64
May 30, 2022		76
May 31, 2022	40		92.5
June 6, 2022		91
June 7, 2022	65		98.7
June 13, 2022		98
June 14, 2022	87
June 21, 2022	91
June 28, 2022	93
May 2, 2023			0.6
May 8, 2023		9
May 9, 2023	0		9.5
May 15, 2023		38
May 16, 2023	8		38.8
May 22, 2023		68
May 23, 2023	40		78.5
May 29, 2023		89
May 30, 2023	80		96
June 5, 2023		96
June 6, 2023	97		99.9

Graph data

Harvest progress (%)

Date	Manitoba	Saskatchewan	Alberta-Peace River
August 15, 2022		2
August 16, 2022	0		0
August 22, 2022		3
August 23, 2022	0		0
August 29, 2022	0.5	8
August 30, 2022			1.1
September 5, 2022		22
September 6, 2022	1		8
September 12, 2022		39
September 13, 2022	11		31
September 19, 2022		52
September 20, 2022	24		53.5
September 26, 2022		66
September 27, 2022	30		74.8
October 3, 2022		82
October 4, 2022	58		91.8
October 10, 2022		90
October 11, 2022	79		98.1
October 17, 2022		99
October 18, 2022	90
October 25, 2022	95
August 21, 2023		0
August 22, 2023			1.1
August 28, 2023		10
August 29, 2023	5		3.5
September 4, 2023		23
September 5, 2023	14		10
September 11, 2023		42
September 12, 2023	35		19.1
September 18, 2023		65
September 19, 2023	55		38.7
September 25, 2023		80
September 26, 2023	78		61.5
October 2, 2023		90
October 3, 2023	86		75
October 10, 2023	87		87.2
October 16, 2023		90
October 17, 2023	94		96.9

Production

The number of hectares seeded with canola in Canada since 2000 is given in Figure 8. In 2023, it was estimated that canola producers seeded approximately 277,500 ha more than in 2022 (8,936,100 versus 8,658,600 ha). This is approximately 1.8% more than the 5-year average of 8,777,070 ha and 377,300 ha less than the record set in 2017, when 9,313,400 ha of canola was seeded (Figure 8).

Statistics Canada estimated the average yield of canola in 2023 in western Canada to be 2,070 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha). This is slightly lower than the yield reported in 2022 (2,114 kg/ha) and the 5-year average yield (2,146 kg/ha). In 2023, the highest average yield was reported in Ontario at 2,992 kg/ha (2,850 kg/ha in 2022), followed by Manitoba at 2,421 kg/ha (2,427 kg/ha in 2022), Québec at 2,292 kg/ha (2,236 kg/ha in 2022) and Alberta at 2,124 kg/ha (2,134 kg/ha in 2022). The lowest yields were observed in British Columbia at 1,967 kg/ha (1,699 kg/ha in 2022) and Saskatchewan at 1,950 kg/ha (2,127 kg/ha in 2022). The lack of water and the drought like conditions were once again responsible for these low yields in 2023.

As of February 2023, Statistics Canada estimated Canadian canola production at 18,328,233 metric tonnes (MT). This is slightly lower than last year’s production of 18,694,768 MT and the 5-year average of 18,612,710 MT (Figure 9). The decrease in canola production in Canada over the last 3 years (Figure 9) can be attributed to the growing conditions, especially the high temperatures and low moisture levels. In 2023, 53.0% of the canola in Canada was produced in Saskatchewan (52.2% in 2022). Québec produced 0.16% (0.21% in 2022), Ontario 0.29% (0.33% in 2022), Alberta 16.7% (16.9% in 2022), Manitoba 29.4% (29.9% in 2022) and British Columbia 0.45% (0.37% in 2022).

Graph data

Seeded area (hectares)

Year	Manitoba	Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia	Canada
2000	951,000	2,387,600	1,537,800	36,400	4,937,000
2001	768,900	1,922,300	1,092,700	24,300	3,826,800
2002	890,300	1,746,200	1,193,800	16,200	3,876,800
2003	1,011,700	2,306,700	1,355,700	30,400	4,735,700
2004	1,116,900	2,428,100	1,608,600	28,300	5,218,200
2005	1,011,700	2,549,500	1,740,100	34,400	5,369,900
2006	1,003,600	2,418,900	1,821,100	26,000	5,283,300
2007	1,238,300	3,049,300	2,037,600	28,300	6,382,200
2008	1,254,500	3,116,100	2,104,400	24,300	6,541,100
2009	1,305,100	3,298,200	2,023,400	30,400	6,689,300
2010	1,345,600	3,439,800	2,246,000	40,500	7,116,800
2011	1,133,100	4,006,400	2,457,100	35,800	7,684,700
2012	1,469,000	4,694,400	2,711,400	48,600	8,974,400
2013	1,315,200	4,309,900	2,565,700	40,500	8,274,100
2014	1,284,900	4,350,400	2,751,900	42,500	8,457,900
2015	1,301,100	4,512,200	2,535,400	36,400	8,411,300
2016	1,294,800	4,552,700	2,495,200	38,400	8,410,900
2017	1,278,800	5,151,600	2,804,500	45,300	9,313,400
2018	1,382,400	4,997,900	2,755,900	55,400	9,232,200
2019	1,338,600	4,765,200	2,401,200	34,700	8,571,700
2020	1,381,600	4,588,800	2,377,900	37,300	8,410,400
2021	1,385,735	4,848,301	2,705,725	41,820	9,012,449
2022	1,327,700	4,610,900	2,639,000	40,700	8,658,600
2023	1,265,900	5,018,200	2,575,000	43,900	8,936,100

Graph data

Production (tonnes)

Year	Manitoba	Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia	Canada
2000	1,487,800	3,424,600	2,188,600	55,200	7,205,300
2001	1,134,000	2,154,600	1,655,600	34,000	5,017,100
2002	1,451,500	1,769,000	1,224,700	18,100	4,520,500
2003	1,769,000	2,676,200	2,222,600	38,600	6,771,200
2004	1,746,300	2,880,300	2,925,700	43,800	7,673,600
2005	1,261,000	4,456,500	3,651,400	63,500	9,483,300
2006	1,825,700	3,696,800	3,424,600	27,200	9,000,300
2007	1,950,400	4,154,900	3,401,900	47,600	9,611,100
2008	2,576,400	5,629,100	4,322,700	31,800	12,644,900
2009	2,891,700	6,259,600	3,628,700	49,900	12,898,100
2010	2,215,800	5,692,600	4,740,000	39,700	12,788,600
2011	1,746,300	7,348,200	5,347,900	56,000	14,608,100
2012	2,100,100	6,486,400	5,097,200	82,800	13,868,500
2013	3,025,500	9,178,400	6,168,900	88,700	18,551,000
2014	2,510,600	7,971,900	5,796,900	71,900	16,410,100
2015	2,857,600	9,536,800	5,851,300	70,800	18,376,500
2016	2,608,200	10,682,100	6,157,500	81,600	19,599,200
2017	3,147,900	11,181,100	6,826,600	90,600	21,458,100
2018	3,318,400	11,308,000	5,870,600	123,900	20,723,500
2019	3,056,300	11,394,000	5,320,100	72,000	19,912,300
2020	3,190,700	10,967,900	5,212,100	55,900	19,484,700
2021	2,514,092	6,758,816	4,341,000	66,537	14,248,281
2022	2,876,431	9,533,269	5,591,701	68,975	18,694,768
2023	3,053,162	9,712,846	5,394,059	82,269	18,328,233

Table 2  Oil, protein, chlorophyll and total glucosinolate content and free fatty acid content of oil in 2023 canola harvest samples according to grade and province

Table 3  Main fatty acid composition, total SFA, PUFA and MUFA content and iodine value of oil in 2023 canola harvest samples according to grade and province

Oil content

In 2023, canola graded No. 1 had an oil content of 43.2% (Table 1). This is higher than the 2022 mean of 42.1% and identical to the 5-year mean, but lower than the 10-year mean of 43.9%. The 2023 and 5-year means are the same because the low mean oil content from 2021 (41.3%) and 2022 (42.1%) greatly influence the 5-year mean calculation and bring down the 5-year mean oil content compared to means from 2005 to 2020 (Figure 11). The 2023 mean oil content for No. 1 canola showed some recovery compared to 2021 and 2022 but compared to the values from 2005 to 2020 it is still low (Figure 11).

Canola graded No. 1 from the Alberta-Peace River region had a mean oil content of 43.8% (42.6% in 2022), higher than canola No. 1 from Manitoba (42.8% in 2023 versus 42.1% in 2022) and Saskatchewan (43.1% in 2023 versus 41.9% in 2022) (Table 2). Samples from eastern Canada had a higher mean oil content than samples from western Canada. Samples from Québec had a mean oil content of 43.6% (44.0% in 2022), whereas samples from Ontario had a mean oil content of 43.9% (44.9% in 2022).

The oil content of individual canola samples graded No. 1 ranged from 37.4% to 49.1% in Manitoba (39.3% to 49.2% in 2022), 35.6% to 49.3% in Saskatchewan (34.9% to 48.2% in 2022), 35.9% to 52.3% in the Alberta-Peace River region (35.5% to 48.7% in 2022), 41.0% to 46.3% in Québec (41.8% to 46.7% in 2022) and 38.5% to 47.2% in Ontario (42.4% to 48.4% in 2022) (Table 2).

In 2023, the oil content of No. 2 canola from western Canada (42.6%) was lower than that of No. 1 canola from western Canada (43.2%). Most of the samples graded No.2 were from Alberta-Peace-River. These samples had a mean oil content of 43.7%, significantly higher than the mean from Saskatchewan (43.1%) and Manitoba (40.3%). Oil content for No. 2 canola samples from western Canada ranged from 37.4% to 47.6%, compared to 35.4% to 47.2% in 2022 (Table 2). The mean oil content of canola graded No. 3 and Sample from western Canada was 42.3% and 44.0%, respectively.

Oil content is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. For any canola variety, hot and dry growing conditions, rather than cool conditions, results in canola seeds with low oil content. The 2023 growing season was again very dry. Some of the canola crop that began the growing season under moderate drought conditions completed the season under severe drought, with some areas of Alberta reporting extreme to exceptional drought conditions (Figure 4). However, timely rains in the form of thundershowers helped the crop to develop, even if the rain did not replenish the soil moisture. In 2023, there was again a large number of days with temperatures over 30°C. These conditions occurred mainly in August, after most of the crop had finished flowering. The main difference from the 2022 growing season was the low night temperatures in July, as low as single digits in some areas (Figure 3). This helped the canola plants recover from the heat of the day and the morning dew also likely helped them recover from the lack of moisture. The Peace-River area in British-Columbia (crop district 8) and Alberta crop district 7 had above average temperatures during the entire growing season (Figure 2), in addition to a lack of moisture (Figure 4). Night temperatures were quite low (Figure 3),however, and this likely helped the canola crop since the mean oil content was the highest observed in 2023 at 46.6% (8.5% moisture) for both the Peace River area and Alberta crop district 7.

One factor that has an unknown effect on the quality of the 2023 crop is the blanket of smoke from the intense forest fires that ravaged Canada this year. Currently, there is no study examining the effects of smoke on canola crop quality.

Graph data

Oil content (%, 8.5% moisture)

Year	Oil content
2000	43.18
2001	42.75
2002	42.49
2003	41.82
2004	43.31
2005	44.43
2006	44.60
2007	43.35
2008	44.34
2009	44.52
2010	44.30
2011	45.24
2012	43.53
2013	44.80
2014	44.16
2015	44.18
2016	44.32
2017	45.04
2018	44.05
2019	44.60
2020	44.05
2021	41.28
2022	42.14
2023	43.23

The mean oil content of CC No. 1 canola exports was 42.7% for December 2023 and 41.8% for August to November 2023 (Table 4). Compared to the harvest samples, the CC and the NCC export samples of No. 1 canola had a lower mean oil content due to dilution from dockage. Harvest samples are completely clean (0.00% dockage). Mean dockage for the CC exports was 1.2% for December 2023 and 1.3% for August to November 2023. Dockage for the 2022 to 2023 shipping season was 1.3% (Table 4). NCC exports had a mean dockage of 2.7% for August to December 2023 (Table 4). The export samples from the beginning of this year’s shipping season showed an increase in oil content compared to last year, which corresponds to the increase in oil content found in the 2023 harvest samples compared to 2022.

Protein content

The mean protein content of canola seed (8.5% moisture) and the calculated mean protein content of oil-free meal (12% moisture) from 2000 to 2023 are given in Figures 12 and 13, respectively. The Canadian mean protein content of seeds was 21.8% for No. 1 canola, 22.4% for No. 2 canola, 21.9% for No. 3 canola and 19.9% for canola graded Sample (Table 2). The mean protein content of seeds for No. 1 canola in 2023 (21.8%) was lower than in 2022 (22.4%) and much lower than the record high observed in 2021 (24.0%), but similar to the 5-year mean of 21.7% (Table 1 and Figure 12). The protein content of seeds for individual No. 1 canola samples ranged in value from 20.0% to 23.6% for Québec, 17.8% to 24.5% for Ontario, 17.4% to 26.7% for Manitoba, 15.5% to 29.6 % for Saskatchewan and 15.5% to 29.2% for Alberta-Peace River. The mean protein content of seeds for western Canadian samples ranged in value from 19.0% to 25.5% for No. 2 canola, 20.4% to 28.5% for No. 3 canola and 19.1% to 20.7% for canola graded Sample (Table 2).

A strong inverse relationship between oil and protein content can be observed in canola seeds. In 2023, mean seed oil content was about 1.1% higher than in 2022 and seed protein content concurrently decreased by 0.6% compared to 2022.

The mean protein content of seeds for CC exports of No. 1 canola was 21.9% for December 2023 and 22.3% for August to November 2023 (Table 4). Mean protein content of seeds for the previous shipping season (August 2022 to July 2023) was higher than that for this year’s shipping season, which is consistent with the 2023 canola protein content of harvest samples (Table 4).

Graph data

Protein content of seeds (%, 8.5% moisture)

Year	Protein content of seeds
2000	21.03
2001	22.26
2002	23.21
2003	23.27
2004	21.51
2005	20.46
2006	21.04
2007	21.68
2008	20.75
2009	19.86
2010	20.13
2011	19.62
2012	21.27
2013	19.75
2014	20.15
2015	20.73
2016	20.05
2017	20.07
2018	21.12
2019	20.40
2020	20.83
2021	24.00
2022	22.37
2023	21.77

Graph data

Protein content of oil-free meal (%, 12% moisture)

Year	Protein content of meal on oil-free basis
2000	38.30
2001	40.18
2002	41.67
2003	41.21
2004	39.28
2005	38.26
2006	39.49
2007	39.62
2008	38.72
2009	37.20
2010	37.53
2011	37.32
2012	39.02
2013	37.22
2014	37.46
2015	38.55
2016	37.40
2017	38.00
2018	39.10
2019	38.28
2020	38.62
2021	42.04
2022	39.85
2023	39.50

The calculated protein content of oil-free meal is the maximum protein content of a theoretical meal that would be obtained if a crushing plant was able to extract 100% of the oil from the seeds. In 2023, the calculated mean protein content of oil-free meal at 12% moisture was 39.5%. This is slightly lower than the 2022 value of 39.9% and much lower than the value from 2021 (42.0%), but similar to the 5-year mean of 39.6% (Table 1 and Figure 13). The calculated protein content of oil-free meal at 12% moisture was highest for samples from Alberta-Peace River (39.9% in 2023 versus 40.4% in 2022), followed by Saskatchewan (39.7% in 2023 versus 39.8% in 2022) and Manitoba (38.2% in 2023 versus 38.9% in 2022).

The calculated mean protein content of oil-free meal at 12% moisture for CC export samples of No. 1 canola was 39.5% for August to November 2023 and 39.4% for December 2023. These results are slightly lower than the value of 39.7% determined for the last shipping season (August 2022 to July 2023) for CC export samples of No. 1 canola (Table 4).

Chlorophyll content

In 2023, the mean chlorophyll content for all Canadian samples graded No. 1 was 9 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg in Québec samples, 4 mg/kg in Ontario samples, 7 mg/kg in Manitoba samples, 7mg/kg in Saskatchewan samples and 12 mg/kg in Alberta-Peace River samples (Table 2). The Canadian mean is identical to that from the 2022 harvest (9 mg/kg) and lower than the 5-year mean of 10 mg/kg (Table 1). This is the lowest mean chlorophyll content value observed in the last 10 years (Figure 14). Individual samples of No. 1 canola showed variations in chlorophyll content due to variable growing conditions. The chlorophyll content of No. 1 canola samples ranged in value from less than 3 mg/kg to 11 mg/kg in Québec, 3 mg/kg to 9 mg/kg in Ontario, 3 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg in Manitoba, 3 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg in Saskatchewan and 3 mg/kg to 56 mg/kg in Alberta-Peace River (Table 2). Canola from Alberta crop districts 5 and 6 (western part of the central and the north-central districts) had the highest mean chlorophyll content values at 17 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg, respectively.

The mean chlorophyll content of canola samples graded No. 2 was 21 mg/kg (Table 2), similar to that in 2022 (22 mg/kg). Canola samples graded No. 3 and Sample had a mean chlorophyll content of 42 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively. This is similar to that observed in 2022, which was 35 mg/kg for No. 3 canola and 17 mg/kg for Sample grade canola. Samples of the lowest grade of canola were downgraded for several factors other than immaturity.

Historical means of chlorophyll content vary greatly from year to year (Figure 14) due to variable growing conditions. High chlorophyll content can be related to a one or more factors, including delays in seeding because of cold temperatures and rain, poor growing conditions due to a lack of heat units, and an early frost. Seeding was delayed in 2023 due to cold weather in April and snow in early May, but temperatures throughout May and June were warmer than normal, which allowed for generally uninterrupted seeding. There was no early frost and temperatures remained above normal until the end of the growing season, allowing canola crops to mature without problems.

Graph data

Chlorophyll content of seeds (mg/kg, as is moisture)

Year	Chlorophyll content
2000	14.40
2001	16.69
2002	13.42
2003	15.00
2004	16.50
2005	13.91
2006	13.71
2007	14.57
2008	11.03
2009	15.38
2010	12.75
2011	15.88
2012	17.43
2013	11.99
2014	13.33
2015	11.97
2016	11.33
2017	11.25
2018	10.32
2019	12.00
2020	10.07
2021	9.88
2022	8.95
2023	8.87

Canola graded No. 1 must contain no more than 2.00% distinctly green (DGR) seeds. The mean DGR seed content in No. 1 canola samples in 2023 was 0.47% (0.54% in 2022) for Québec, 0.55% (0.28% in 2022) for Ontario, 0.72% (0.80% in 2022) for Manitoba, 0.43% (0.48% in 2022) for Saskatchewan and 0.62% (0.59% in 2022) for Alberta-Peace River. This gave a Canadian mean DGR seed content of 0.53%.

The chlorophyll content of Canadian canola export samples is affected by DGR seed and dockage content. The mean DGR seed content was 0.5% for December 2023 CC canola export samples, 0.4% for August to November 2023 CC canola exports and 0.3% for August to December 2023 NCC canola export samples (Table 4). The mean chlorophyll content for the CC December 2023 export samples (13 mg/kg of seeds) was slightly higher than that for the August to November 2023 CC canola export samples and the 2023 harvest samples, all of which had similar DGR seed content (Table 4).

Glucosinolate content

The mean total glucosinolate content of seeds at 8.5% moisture and the calculated mean total glucosinolate content of oil-free meal at 8.5% moisture from 2000 to 2023 are given in Figure 15 and Figure 16, respectively.

In 2023, canola No. 1 (Table 2) had a mean glucosinolate content of 12 μmol/g of seeds, identical to the 2022 mean but higher than the 5-year mean of 10 μmol/g of seeds. This is the highest mean glucosinolate content since 2015 (Figure 15). Mean total glucosinolate content was 9 μmol/g of seeds for Québec, 11 μmol/g of seeds for Ontario, 11 μmol/g of seeds for Manitoba, 12 μmol/g of seeds for Saskatchewan and 12 μmol/g of seeds for Alberta-Peace River. Samples from CARs 1, 2, 3 and 4 in southern Saskatchewan, CARs 7, 8 and 12 in west-central Saskatchewan, Alberta crop districts 1 and 2 in southeastern Alberta and the Peace River area in British Columbia all had a mean total glucosinolate content value greater than 14 μmol/g of seeds. These canola growing areas were most affected by the lack of moisture during the 2023 growing season (Figure 4). Figure 5 shows that there were a significant number of days in August with temperatures over 30°C in Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan. This year’s results were consistent with the results from 2022 when both Alberta crop district 1 and Saskatchewan CAR 12 experienced severe to extreme drought conditions during the entire growing season. Samples from these specific areas had the highest total glucosinolate content at 18 μmol/g of seeds.

These observations and results agree with a research study from Australia that showed hot and dry conditions, post flowering, led to an increase in the total glucosinolate content of canola seeds. As in 2021 and 2022, heat and a lack of moisture were responsible for the increase in total glucosinolates observed in 2023.

The December 2023 and the August to November 2023 CC canola export samples had a mean total glucosinolate content of 9 μmol/g of seeds, which is similar to last year’s shipping season (Table 4).

In 2023, 12 μmol/g of total glucosinolates in seeds corresponded to 23 μmol/g of total glucosinolates in oil-free meal on an 8.5% moisture basis (Table 1). This is higher than both the 5-year mean of 20 μmol/g and the 2022 mean of 21 μmol/g for oil-free meal (Figure 16 and Table 1). Total glucosinolate content in Canadian canola meal obtained from conventional crushing plants (expeller press followed by solvent extraction) is much lower than this calculated value. The calculated value assumes that 100% of the oil is recovered from the seed during crushing and that no glucosinolates are destroyed during processing, which is never the case.

Graph data

Total glucosinolate content of seeds (µmol/g, 8.5% moisture)

Year	Total glucosinolate content of seeds
2000	9.93
2001	10.92
2002	12.35
2003	11.15
2004	9.40
2005	9.45
2006	10.01
2007	9.79
2008	8.53
2009	9.59
2010	9.90
2011	10.25
2012	10.91
2013	10.14
2014	9.83
2015	10.92
2016	10.27
2017	10.46
2018	10.25
2019	9.40
2020	9.30
2021	11.08
2022	11.68
2023	11.96

Graph data

Total glucosinolate content of oil-free meal (µmol/g, 8.5% moisture)

Year	Total glucosinolate content of oil-free meal
2000	18.80
2001	20.50
2002	23.06
2003	20.54
2004	17.84
2005	18.37
2006	19.53
2007	18.61
2008	16.56
2009	18.68
2010	19.19
2011	20.27
2012	20.81
2013	19.87
2014	19.00
2015	21.12
2016	19.92
2017	20.60
2018	19.77
2019	18.34
2020	17.93
2021	20.09
2022	20.73
2023	22.64

Free fatty acid content

In 2023, the mean free fatty acid (FFA) content of canola samples graded No. 1 was 0.21% (as oleic acid). This is slightly lower than the 2022 mean of 0.26% but similar to the 5-year mean of 0.19% (Table 1 and Figure 17). The mean FFA content for No. 1 canola samples (Table 2) from Manitoba (0.41% in 2023 versus 0.47% in 2022) was higher than that for Alberta-Peace River (0.20% in 2023 versus 0.31% in 2022) and Saskatchewan (0.16% in 2023 and 2022). These values are lower than the FFA means observed in samples from Québec (0.52% in 2023) and Ontario (0.49% in 2023). No. 1 canola samples from Manitoba had a higher mean FFA content than the western Canadian mean (0.21%) and ranged in value from 0.22% to 0.61%, which may pose a problem for local crushers.

In western Canada, canola samples graded No. 2 had a higher mean FFA content than those graded canola No. 1 (0.85% in 2023 versus 0.62% in 2022) (Table 2). Samples from Manitoba had the highest mean FFA content (1.61%), followed by Saskatchewan (0.92%) and Alberta (0.28%).

Plant stress and seed sprouting resulting from hot and dry growing conditions, rain at harvest, or both, can often lead to an increase in FFA content. Some Manitoba samples showed sprouting, which could explain their higher FFA content compared to samples from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Graph data

Free fatty acid content (% in oil, as oleic acid)

Year	Free fatty acid content
2000	0.24
2001	0.35
2002	0.35
2003	0.23
2004	0.19
2005	0.11
2006	0.17
2007	0.18
2008	0.10
2009	0.15
2010	0.16
2011	0.12
2012	0.14
2013	0.13
2014	0.18
2015	0.18
2016	0.20
2017	0.15
2018	0.15
2019	0.15
2020	0.15
2021	0.24
2022	0.26
2023	0.21

The mean FFA level of CC canola No. 1 was 0.26% for the December 2023 exports and 0.27% for the August to November 2023 exports (Table 4). FFA levels of individual CC canola No. 1 export samples ranged in value from 0.14% to 0.46% (0.14% to 0.53% for last year’s shipping season during the same period).

It has been observed that FFA levels can increase during the shipping season. Storage conditions can activate hydrolytic enzymes in seeds which leads to an increase in FFA production. FFA content could vary considerably from each load throughout the entire shipping season.

Fatty acid composition

The Canadian mean erucic acid (C22:1) content was 0.02% in 2023, slightly higher than the limit of quantification. Over the last several years, the mean erucic acid content in canola samples graded No. 1 ranged from below the limit of detection to just over the limit of detection (Tables 1 and 3, Figure 18). These low values are a direct result of breeding efforts by the Canadian canola industry.

In 2023, the mean alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3) content of all Canadian samples of canola graded No. 1 was 9.1%, much higher than the 2022 mean (8.2%) and slightly higher than the 5-year mean of 8.9% (Table 1 and Figure 19). Samples from Ontario had the lowest mean alpha-linolenic acid content (8.7%) followed by samples from Manitoba (8.9%), Saskatchewan (9.0%) and Québec (9.4%). Samples from Alberta-Peace River had the highest mean alpha-linolenic acid content at 9.5% (Table 3). Unlike last year, location had some effect on alpha-linolenic acid content. Samples from Alberta crop districts 5, 6, and 7 and the Peace-River area had alpha-linolenic acid means equal to or higher than 10%.

In 2023, the Canadian mean oleic acid (C18:1) content for No. 1 canola was 64.1%, lower than the 2022 mean of 64.6%, but much higher than the 5-year mean of 63.4% (Table 1 and Figure 20). The lowest mean oleic acid was found in samples from Québec (63.2% in 2023 versus 62.0% in 2022) and the highest in Manitoba (64.3% in 2023 versus 64.2% in 2022) (Table 3). The mean oleic acid was lower in 2023 than in 2022 for samples from Ontario (63.8% in 2023 versus 64.4% in 2022), Saskatchewan (64.2% in 2023 versus 64.6% in 2022) and Alberta-Peace River (63.8% in 2023 versus 65.1% in 2022).

The mean total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in 2023 was 64.9% in Québec (63.6% in 2022), 65.6% in Ontario (65.9% in 2022), 65.9% in Manitoba (65.8% in 2022), 65.8% in Saskatchewan (66.2% in 2022) and 65.2% in Alberta-Peace River (66.4% in 2022). The Canadian mean total MUFA was 65.7% in 2023, slightly lower than the 2022 mean of 66.0% and slightly higher than the 5-year mean of 65.4% (Tables 1 and 3).

Mean linoleic acid (C18:2) content was lower than last year (17.9% in 2023 versus 18.1% in 2022) (Figure 21) and the 5-year mean of 18.3% (Table 1). While linoleic acid decreased, alpha-linolenic acid content increased (Figure 19). Over the last 10 years (2013 to 2022), linoleic acid content has generally decreased (Figure 21). This decrease is likely related to genetics since changes from one year to another are related to environmental conditions. This year’s oleic acid content decreased compared to last year, while oil content and alpha-linolenic acid content both increased this year compared to last year (Table 1, Figures 11, 19 and 20), which agrees with the effect of the cool night temperatures in July. Cool night temperatures would have led to an increase in linoleic acid content compared to last year if only environmental factors were affecting canola since cool temperatures help to increase the content of all polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, the linoleic acid content decreased in 2023 compared to last year (Figure 21), which suggests that the 2023 decrease was likely due to genetic factors and not the environmental growing conditions.

In 2023, the mean total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content was 27.8% in Québec (28.9% in 2022), 27.0% in Ontario (26.6% in 2022), 26.8% in Manitoba (26.6% in 2022), 26.9% in Saskatchewan (26.2% in 2022) and 28.1% in Alberta-Peace River (26.2% in 2022). This resulted in a Canadian mean PUFA content of 27.0% (26.3% in 2022), compared to the 5-year mean of 27.3% (Tables 1 and 3). In canola, PUFA content is directly related to alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3) and linoleic acid (C18:2) content. In 2023, there was a 0.9% increase in alpha-linolenic acid and a 0.2% decrease in linoleic acid, which accounted for the 0.7% increase in PUFA content compared to last year.

Fatty acid composition (oleic acid, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid) in the 2023 crop differed from that in 2022. There was a 0.4% and 0.2% decrease in oleic acid and linoleic acid, respectively, and a 0.9% increase in alpha-linolenic acid. As a result, the iodine value, which represents the degree of unsaturation in oil, was higher in 2023 (111.3 units) compared to 2022 (109.5 units) (Table 1). The 2023 iodine value was 1.8 units higher than last year, but similar to the 5-year mean of 111.2 units (Table 1). Even though the 2023 iodine value recovered from last year’s record low, which was the lowest iodine value observed since 2000 (Figure 22), it is still lower than the 10-year mean of 111.9 units. For No. 1 canola, the mean iodine value in 2023 was 112.1 units (113.4 units in 2022) for Québec, 110.7 units (110.0 units in 2022) for Ontario, 110.8 units (109.8 units in 2022) for Manitoba, 111.0 units (109.3 units in 2022) for Saskatchewan and 113.7 units (110.2 units in 2022) for Alberta-Peace River (Table 3). In 2023, the iodine value of Canadian samples graded No. 1 ranged from 103.2 units to 121.3 units, while in 2022 it ranged from 104.2 units to 117.8 units. Canola samples graded No. 2 had a higher iodine value, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid content, and lower oleic acid content than No 1 canola samples (Table 3).

The Canadian mean saturated fatty acid (SFA) content for canola No. 1 samples was 6.6% in 2023, which is slightly lower than the 2022 mean of 6.9% and the 5-year mean of 6.7% (Tables 1 and 3, Figure 23). Since 2009, the mean SFA content has varied between 6.6% and 6.9% (Figure 23). In 2023, the mean SFA content for No. 1 canola was 6.8% for samples from Québec and Ontario, 6.6% for samples from Manitoba and Alberta and 6.7% for samples from Saskatchewan (Table 3).

The fatty acid composition of the 2023 harvest samples corresponded well with the fatty acid composition of the August to December 2023 export samples (Table 4). Up to December 2023, oleic acid content was lower, while alpha-linolenic acid content and iodine value were higher for canola samples from this year’s shipping season compared to last season.

Graph data

Erucic acid content (% in oil)

Year	Erucic acid content
2000	0.15
2001	0.11
2002	0.11
2003	0.13
2004	0.12
2005	0.06
2006	0.05
2007	0.04
2008	0.01
2009	0.01
2010	0.03
2011	0.01
2012	0.01
2013	0.01
2014	0.01
2015	0.01
2016	0.01
2017	0.01
2018	0.00
2019	0.00
2020	0.01
2021	0.00
2022	0.00
2023	0.02

Graph data

Alpha-linolenic acid content (% in oil)

Year	Alpha-linolenic acid content
2000	9.93
2001	9.35
2002	10.58
2003	8.44
2004	11.24
2005	11.05
2006	9.89
2007	9.77
2008	9.08
2009	10.00
2010	10.00
2011	9.87
2012	9.55
2013	9.07
2014	9.21
2015	9.70
2016	9.61
2017	9.54
2018	8.66
2019	10.01
2020	8.91
2021	8.60
2022	8.16
2023	9.11

Graph data

Oleic acid content (% in oil)

Year	Oleic acid content
2000	61.46
2001	61.94
2002	60.64
2003	63.18
2004	58.94
2005	59.82
2006	62.05
2007	61.47
2008	63.21
2009	62.25
2010	62.25
2011	62.04
2012	62.50
2013	63.43
2014	63.17
2015	62.56
2016	62.58
2017	62.93
2018	64.27
2019	62.40
2020	63.87
2021	64.19
2022	64.55
2023	64.09

Graph data

Linoleic acid content (% in oil)

Year	Linoleic acid content
2000	19.08
2001	19.12
2002	19.14
2003	18.52
2004	20.29
2005	19.70
2006	18.86
2007	19.30
2008	18.45
2009	18.81
2010	18.86
2011	19.05
2012	19.17
2013	18.52
2014	18.66
2015	18.78
2016	18.90
2017	18.85
2018	18.32
2019	18.74
2020	18.29
2021	18.32
2022	18.05
2023	17.86

Graph data

Iodine value of oil (units)

Year	Iodine value
2000	114.00
2001	112.41
2002	114.74
2003	110.07
2004	117.01
2005	116.05
2006	113.38
2007	113.27
2008	111.49
2009	113.96
2010	115.04
2011	113.63
2012	113.32
2013	111.75
2014	112.15
2015	113.13
2016	113.10
2017	113.11
2018	110.95
2019	113.69
2020	111.25
2021	110.91
2022	109.45
2023	111.26

Graph data

Saturated fatty acid content (% in oil)

Year	Saturated fatty acid content
2000	7.09
2001	7.20
2002	7.03
2003	7.26
2004	6.96
2005	6.96
2006	6.98
2007	6.98
2008	7.09
2009	6.85
2010	6.85
2011	6.80
2012	6.58
2013	6.80
2014	6.66
2015	6.65
2016	6.74
2017	6.53
2018	6.65
2019	6.64
2020	6.80
2021	6.58
2022	6.91
2023	6.63