WINNIPEG, June 29 (CNS Canada) – Mustard made impressive gains in Canada this year, according to Statistics Canada’s field crop area report.
There are an estimated 525,000 acres of mustard planted this spring, a whopping 52.2 percent increase from last year’s 345,000 acres, according to the report.
“I’m amazed at that number – I didn’t fall off my chair, but that might be a good metaphor to use,” said Walter Dyck, general manager of Olds Products, a maker of mustard condiments, headquartered in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
“It’s good to see that mustard can have some bounce back…we really haven’t had that in a while, in terms of higher acres.”
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Spot prices were high going into seeding, and that combined with low input costs could be what triggered more acres, Dyck said, adding he had expected an increase but not this much.
“February and March was pointing to an increase in Canada but not to this extent…the real acreage was about 20 percent over what we were expecting,” Dyck said.
Not only is acreage up this year, but mustard crops are thriving, Dyck said.
“Right across the mustard-growing area has been almost close to excellent—it’s really quite good for mustard development so far,” Dyck said.
Mustard crops have received good moisture, good germination, and had minimal effects from frost, Dyck said, which has helped the crops excel.
“It’s never in until it’s in the bin… we still have a long way to go with weather and storms…but development thus far has been very good,” Dyck said. “The second half is left to go, but we’re in good shape.”
Mustard prices have been steady over the last few weeks, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Yellow mustard is priced at 44 Canadian cents per pound, whereas brown mustard prices out at 35 cents per lb. and Oriental at 43 cents per lb.
