Flax markets show very little change week-over-week, with buyers able to secure both yellow and brown varieties to cover their needs. Brown flax remains in the $16.25 to $16.75 per bushel FOB farm range, with the potential for slightly stronger numbers pushing delivery into the summer months. Stronger demand, however, continues to be seen in yellow flax markets, where bids are running between $21 and $22 per bushel FOB contingent on freight costs and quality. There have also been early indications of some purchasers open to discussing 2026 new-crop contracts including an act of God. If flax is penciled into your rotation and you have a target price in mind, it may be worth submitting a firm offer to try and secure a production contract. Seed availability remains strong for both yellow and brown flax, including the ability to have seed delivered directly to the farm.

Mustard values remain mostly steady, with a few modest gains in oriental this week. Yellow mustard continues to trade at 40 to 41 cents per pound, brown sits around 38 cents, and oriental holds near 45 cents, all picked up on the farm based on Number 1 quality. European buyers have been taking more Canadian product in recent months, according reports. The market is still waiting to see whether a smaller U.S. crop will eventually lend support to yellow mustard, which has been quieter than both brown and oriental. New-crop bids have been slow to surface, but buyers are considering targets, so if you have a number in mind, pass it along to your merchant. Rayglen continues to offer certified mustard seed, something strongly recommended to all mustard growers. Mustard remains one of the crops that we recommended purchasing certified seed for every year. Your merchant can provide details on this as well as pricing and treatment options.

Last week’s StatsCan lentil report came in right where the trade expected at 3.36 million tonnes. Production is up 38 percent compared to last year, driven mainly by stronger yields, with green lentils showing the biggest year-over-year gains. On top of other recent market hurdles, prices are starting to reflect the larger supply picture. Large green lentils trade at 24-25 cents per pound picked up for #2 spec, small greens have softened slightly to 21 cents picked up for #1, and reds remain steady at 23 cents delivered. There are marketing options for lower-grade product, though the price spreads clearly illustrate the limited demand in the broader market. In world news, Australia is projecting a record red lentil crop, with production expected to climb roughly 50 percent from 2024. If realized, this would put direct pressure on key export destinations such as South Asia. Red lentil values in India have slipped over the past couple of weeks, and that weakness could easily spill into both Canadian and Australian markets as we move forward.

Pea prices are holding steady this week. Spot bids remain in the $7 to $7.50 per bushel range picked up on the farm for #2 yellows. Some non-glyphosate market options are helping pull values toward the upper end of that range, though freight continues to influence net returns. Green peas are seeing marketing opportunities around $10 per bushel, with slightly higher target values on low-bleach product, under three percent, drawing some interest. Maple peas appear to have settled between $10 and $11 per bushel depending on area and variety. Most movement is now pushing into the new year, though we have still been able to secure quicker delivery in certain cases. Recent supply numbers have not painted the rosiest picture for peas, but steady sales continue as we work through the current environment.

Barley prices remain strong for another week of trading. Growers in Central Saskatchewan are seeing values approach $5 per bushel FOB, with the west side of the province trading above that level. Eastern Sask bids have perked up slightly as well in recent weeks, though bids starting with “5” are tougher to come by. And, per usual, Alberta continues to post the strongest bids due to its proximity to feedlots. Shipping windows are largely pushing into the first quarter of 2026 for top end bid, but opportunities for prompt shipping have arisen, so make sure to have your targets posted. Reports suggest this market is being supported by ongoing export demand. The malting market is quiet, especially with feed barley trading as actively as it is, but feel free to inquire about potential business with your merchant.

Canary seed markets remain uneventful over the past week. StatCan’s final production estimate surprised to the upside at 235,000 tonnes for 2025, marking the largest crop in nearly twenty years. The increase came from stronger yields despite a reduction in seeded area compared to 2024. Spot pricing remains unchanged at 19 cents per pound FOB farm for December and January movement across most of Western Canada. Bids look poised to stay flat until carryover from last year and this year’s production works through the pipeline. With current values where they are, selling interest from growers is minimal, setting the tone for a slow and steady market ahead.

Canada’s 2025–26 wheat year is unfolding under the weight of a record 40-million-tonne crop. Export movement is also breaking records, surpassing five million tonnes faster than ever and placing Canada third globally while maintaining its position as the top supplier of high-protein milling wheat. Despite this strength, farmers continue to face downward pressure from global pricing as world production climbs to new highs. The USDA’s December WASDE confirmed record global output and higher ending stocks at 274.9 million tonnes, with major exporters—including Canada, Argentina, the EU, Australia, and Russia—contributing to the ample supply outlook. Earlier geopolitical-driven rallies have faded. Current values are sitting near $7.25 per bushel delivered for Number 1 red spring at 13.5% protein for new-year movement. Feed wheat continues to trade in the high-five to mid-six-dollar range for first-quarter delivery.

Canola continues to slide following last week’s Statistics Canada update. The agency pegged production at 21.8 million tonnes, and when combined with limited export demand tied to China’s duties and tariffs, the market reacted sharply. Futures have dropped from nearly $630 per tonne late last week to around $615 per tonne this morning. Weakness in other oilseed markets—Chicago soybeans and Malaysian palm oil included—is adding to the pressure. Significant change would be required before any major upward shift becomes likely.

The latest StatCan report showed increased oat acres and production compared to 2024. Total production rose 16.7% from last year, following a 27% jump from 2023 to 2024. This year’s crop came in just under four million tonnes, up from 3.3 million in 2024 and 2.6 million in 2023. These figures influenced global markets, with Chicago Board of Trade values sliding to $295 USD per bushel today after hitting a five-year low of $264.75 USD on December 8. Local bids have shown little reaction to CBOT movement, with Number 2 pricing between $3.00 and $3.40 delivered and feed bids sitting between $2.25 and $2.75 picked up on the farm.

Traders are keeping a close watch on China as it has increased its purchases of U.S. soybeans following the recent trade truce, though skepticism remains about whether it will reach the 12-MMT target promoted by the White House. Local soybean bids are sitting between $12.00 and $12.25 FOB farm. North America continues to hold ample supplies of black and pinto beans, and with Mexico expected to return to more typical buying levels due to competition from other global suppliers, pricing pressure is leaning downward on these classes. Smaller colored bean varieties, however, are poised for firmer demand and stronger prices given their tighter supply. Current bids for black and pinto beans are near 30 cents per pound, while minor specialty classes are attracting interest closer to 60 cents or higher. Export demand for faba beans remains very soft, with bids around $8.00 per bushel at the farm gate and feed-quality product trading near $7.00 per bushel FOB farm.

StatsCan increased its 2025 chickpea production estimate by 68% compared to 2024, placing this year’s crop at 482,000 tonnes versus last year’s 287,000. Along with the larger crop size, quality remains a significant concern, with only 52% grading in the Number 1CW and Number 2CW categories and the balance falling to Number 3CW and Sample. This update follows the ABARES pulse production report, which pegged Australia’s chickpea crop at a substantial 2.1 million tonnes. While not matching its record 2024 harvest, the crop remains large and primarily desi-type, supporting a strong Australian export program into India and South Asia.

Local pricing has softened slightly this week, with light indications around 27 cents per pound FOB farm for Number 2 large kabuli types. Pricing remains size-sensitive, with many buyers looking for product containing at least 30% 9mm. With a considerable volume of off-spec chickpeas coming to market, it’s worthwhile to discuss grading details with your merchant so a suitable bid can be found for your quality and location.

Rayglen Market Comments are for informational purposes only. Rayglen Commodities and its agents or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of reliance on any of the contents contained within these products, whether such loss or damage arises from negligence or misrepresentation or any act or omission of its agents or employees.