Oats

Oats are enjoying their recently- conferred status of “superfood.” They are a natural, gluten-free whole grain, packed with healthy carbohydrates and fibre, as well as a number of important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The world has taken notice: The U.S. devours 60 percent of all Canadian oats, with export demand growing heartily. The Chinese breakfast cereal market, which accounts for $1.1 billion U.S., is seeing consumption of ready-to-eat oatmeal increasing among all age demographics.

Canadian farmers in 2019 planted 3.6 million acres of oats (the highest area in a decade), and our federal government recently allocated $2 million to oat breeding (a testament to their faith in this crop’s future).

Closer to home, Alberta has 40 percent of all the organic oat production in western Canada. Mackenzie County is one of the most concentrated regions for organic oats in all of North America.