United Grain Growers expects a good worldwide harvest of its edible flax oil crop in its fifth year of commercial solin production.
“We’re beginning to reap the benefits of working in partnership with a select group of farmers to ensure a steady supply of linola for our end users,” said Ken Mudry, the company’s linola merchant.
In a news release, the company said customers’ interest in solin is growing. The crop is used as an ingredient in margarine, cooking oil and table oil.
UGG keeps production figures for the crop confidential. It is the exclusive marketer of solin.
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However, in June, Agriculture Canada analysts estimated farmers planted 280,000 acres of solin and would produce 150,000 tonnes of the crop this year.
The company announced last week it expects solin yields on the Prairies to be 10 to 15 percent above long-term average yields for flax.
In the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, harvest of the company’s linola variety 989 is complete. The company reports yields averaged around 32 bushels per acre.
Harvest of the company’s Windermere variety in the United Kingdom will get under way in September. This is the third year the crop has been planted there.
“Good growing results, like we’re seeing again this year, will support long-term demand in the market,” said Mudry.
Solin oil is similar in composition to sunflower oil. The crop was developed from flax by Australian researchers.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave solin oil the green light for commercial use with its Generally Recognized as Safe status.
