Ontario is Eastern Canada’s largest wheat-producing province, accounting for about 8% of Canada’s total wheat production and more than 80% of its winter wheat production. Ontario grows several classes of winter and spring wheat, led overwhelmingly by soft red winter wheat, which accounts for 80% of production and is used mainly for cookies, crackers, pastries, cakes, coatings and in flour blends. Smaller volumes of soft white winter, hard red winter, and hard red spring wheat make up the remaining production and are used in products such as cakes, cereals, breads, noodles, pasta, and pizza dough. Fifty-four per cent of the wheat grown in Ontario is utilized domestically. The majority is directed toward milling for use in food products (25%), supplying ingredients for a wide range of baked goods and processed foods, while 27% is used in animal feed. An additional 2% is retained for seed. Exports account for the remaining 46% of Ontario’s wheat demand. The United States is the largest export destination, purchasing about 20% of total wheat output. However, markets such as Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic have become increasingly important in recent years, reflecting the global demand for high-quality Ontario wheat. Quebec accounts for around 10% of the total demand for Ontario wheat, which supports both milling and feed markets beyond Ontario’s borders. Wheat exports and domestic feed use fluctuate significantly from year to year, largely influenced by crop quality, production volumes and market prices. Note: For the purpose of this report, Quebec has been included as part of the export market. WHEAT Wheat is Ontario’s third-largest crop in terms of acreage and volume. On average, 2.35 million metric tonnes are grown annually on just over one million acres of land.
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