Canario Represents Canary's Future

WINNIPEG - Mar 22/05 - SNS -- Even though the canario type of canaryseed has been in commercial development since 1997 and has so far failed to transform the industry, parts of the industry remain confident this variety will transform the industry from relying solely on birdseed markets to competing on human food markets.

Canario is a glabrous or hairless type of canaryseed developed in Canada, notes Agriculture Canada's Stan Skrypetz in a recent review of the canaryseed market sector.

"Canaryseed has tiny hairs at the base of the seed that break off and cause severe itching to producers, processors, and packagers," he writes. "Canario eliminates that problem. Canario also helps the industry through reduced shipping costs due to 12% greater seed packing per container and the elimination of the oiling and polishing steps in processing."

The Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA) has obtained registration for the trademark Canario in Canada, European Union and Mexico. Registration in the US and Brazil is pending. Canario varieties must be 97% glabrous in order to bear the Canario trademark. The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has developed a Canario Seed Analysis Certificate to be used for shipments of canaryseed which meet the Canario standard.

"Canaryseed has only one market at the present time, as a major component in seed mixtures for pet and wild birds," Skrypetz notes. "Typically it is mixed with seeds such as millet, sunflower seed, safflower seed, niger seed, buckwheat, cereal grains, flaxseed, and canola."

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