World Buckwheat Output Seen Advancing in 1999-00

WINNIPEG - May 14/99 - STAT -- International buckwheat production stands a good chance of advancing to 2.6 million MT if there is a return to normal in Russia and the Ukraine, believes Agriculture Canada's Stan Skrypetz.

Though spring seeding conditions will play a role in deciding how much buckwheat is sown in Canada, early indications were 37,000 acres could be sown for a 7% hike over last summer. Average yields would push production 20% higher than last year at around 20,000 MT.

Such an increase in seed availability would give Canadian exporters a chance to push sales to 11,000 MT, 35% better than this season's projected exports. Skrypetz reckons the development of large seeded varieties, such as Koban and Koto, should help to increase Canadian exports to Japan.

Over the long-term, there are three main challenges which affect buckwheat production.

First, there is a low rate of seed development. In buckwheat, only about 12% of the flowers develop into seed. This problem is being overcome with the development of self-pollinating varieties which could be available commercially in about two years.

These varieties could double buckwheat yields. Second, there is a lack of frost tolerance. Research is also ongoing on frost-resistant varieties and it is expected that these varieties could be available commercially in about three years, increasing the economic viability and production of buckwheat.

Third, no herbicide for broadleaf weed control has been developed and very little research work is being done in this area. Therefore farmers must continue to rely on cultural practices for the foreseeable future. This could become more difficult when the frost resistant varieties become available, since producers will want to seed earlier. Plant breeders are selecting large-leafed varieties, which develop thick canopies more quickly to overshadow and smother weeds.

Also over the longer term, there may well be sizable increases in seeded area and production once the self-pollinating and frost resistant varieties are available commercially in about three years time.

Buckwheat has the potential to be used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. For example; it is high in lysine, an amino acid used in nutraceuticals. It contains vitamin P which contains a compound called rutin used to reduce cholesterol levels and to help prevent high blood pressure. Fagopyritol, a compound derived from buckwheat, helps to manage diabetes.