High Oleic Soybean Oil Crops are on the Rise for Canadian Farmers

The soybean industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the advent of high oleic varieties, driven by both genetic modification and traditional breeding techniques.

The United Soybean Board has expressed strong support for high oleic soybeans, which are proving more efficient than conventional soybeans for high-quality vegetable oil production. The board predicts that by 2024, the acreage devoted to high oleic soybeans will reach one million. 

“Rising demand across the supply chain means high oleic soybeans represent a strong value proposition for growers, grain handlers, food processors, and retailers,” according to a recent board report on high oleic beans. The high oleic soybean market size was valued at USD 440.6 million in 2023."

Ontario and Quebec have already embraced this trend towards healthier soybean oil. Sevita International, a soybean company based in Ontario, has made notable strides by developing Alinova, a non-genetically modified, high oleic soybean variety. 

Sandy Hart, Sevita International’s general manager, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “We are very proud to have developed these varieties, which are a first for Canada, and we are fully committed to continuing our investment in genetics to provide Canadian growers with high-yielding and high-value production opportunities in years to come.” 

This mid-to-late season variety is well-suited to the growing conditions in Ontario and Quebec. The company plans to release more high oleic varieties in the future, aiming to capture a share of the burgeoning global vegetable oil market. High-oleic soybean oil offers several advantages, including an oil profile comparable to olive or canola oils, greater oxidative stability, extended shelf life for food products, and lower saturated fat content compared to standard soybean oil. 

Sevita International collaborates with Canadian farmers to produce non-GMO soybeans, which are then supplied to food manufacturers across Asia, Europe and North America. These soybeans are primarily used to produce tofu, soymilk, miso and soy sauce. Most of Canada's food-grade soybeans are grown in Ontario and Quebec, where farmers seeded 3.9 million acres of soybeans in 2021, with 15 to 20 percent dedicated to food-grade varieties. 

Food-Grade Soybeans TBA in Alberta 

Expanding its reach, Sevita is also targeting Western Canada, developing food-grade soybean varieties suited to Manitoba’s climate. The company hopes to increase production in the region in the coming years. As both genetic modification techniques like CRISPR and traditional breeding methods advance, the soybean industry is poised for significant growth, offering healthier and more sustainable options for consumers worldwide. 

Future Ag has all the farming equipment you need to start farming soybeans, whether you want to produce a feed crop or a soybean oil crop. Both can be seeded with a row crop planter, air planter, grain drill, or air seeder. Straight combining works for harvesting, although the use of floating headers, pickup reels, love bars, and row crop headers will prevent some product loss.  

Swathing should be avoided, as it can cause up to 25% yield loss.   

If you see specialised soybean farming in your future, talk to your local ag dealer at Future Ag about equipment needs. New and used farm equipment in Alberta is our forté! We’ll help you find exactly what you need on the budget that works for you.