Oil content remains solid while most samples meet No. 1 grade standards
Harvest sample data from the Canadian Grain Commission suggests western Canadian canola quality remained strong in 2025, with most samples meeting Canola No. 1 Canada requirements and oil levels staying competitive across regions. Importantly, the results reflect over 1,400 samples submitted by producers and grain companies through the Harvest Sample Program and tested at the Grain Research Laboratory.
Overall, the dataset points to a crop that continues to meet the expectations of both domestic crushers and export customers, even though quality always varies somewhat from district to district.
Oil content continues to be a strength
Oil content remains one of the biggest drivers of canola value because it directly affects crushing returns.
Across Western Canada, average oil content reached 43.6% (8.5% moisture basis). By province, averages looked like this:
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Manitoba: 42.7%
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Saskatchewan: 43.3%
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Alberta & British Columbia: 44.5%
Notably, Alberta and B.C. districts tended to lead the region. In fact, several Alberta districts posted average oil levels above 45%, and maximum results climbed beyond 50% oil in top samples.
As a result, producers in many areas delivered a crop with strong processing value, which helps maintain demand through the marketing year.
Most samples still graded No. 1 Canada
Grading is critical for market flexibility, and in 2025, the majority of samples graded Canola No. 1 Canada.
Here’s how the grade results broke down:
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Manitoba: 94.3% graded No. 1
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Saskatchewan: 86.4% graded No. 1
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Alberta & B.C.: 96.6% graded No. 1
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Western Canada overall: 94.5%
While Saskatchewan showed more variability in some districts, strong results in Alberta/B.C. and Manitoba helped lift the western average. In practical terms, higher No. 1 grading rates typically mean fewer delivery restrictions and better alignment with export specs.
Protein and meal values stay consistent
Beyond oil, protein matters because canola meal remains an important feed ingredient.
In 2025, seed protein averaged 21.5% across Western Canada, while oil-free meal protein averaged 39.4%. Provincially, seed protein sat in a fairly tight range:
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Manitoba: 21.8%
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Saskatchewan: 21.5%
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Alberta & B.C.: 21.3%
Because those values are relatively consistent, they support steady meal quality for livestock rations. Additionally, the data suggests modern genetics continue to deliver a workable balance between oil yield and meal protein.
Chlorophyll and green seed levels remain manageable
Chlorophyll and distinctly green seed matter because higher levels can affect oil colour and processing performance.
Across Western Canada, average chlorophyll measured 8 mg/kg, although district averages varied. Even so, distinctly green seed levels were generally below 1%, which supports No. 1 grading outcomes in most regions.
Meanwhile, where chlorophyll levels did climb, it often points producers back to the usual culprits—maturity timing, pre-harvest stress, and harvest conditions.
Fatty acid profile stays on-target for canola oil
The fatty acid profile for 2025 harvest samples remained in line with what buyers expect from modern canola varieties.
Across Western Canada, averages included:
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Oleic acid: 64.2%
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Linoleic acid: 17.7%
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Alpha-linolenic acid: 9.0%
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Total saturates: 6.7%
Just as importantly, erucic acid remained essentially zero, which confirms the crop continues to meet canola classification standards. For producers, that consistency helps protect Canada’s reputation for delivering a dependable, high-quality oilseed.
What this means on-farm
For growers, the 2025 results underline a familiar but encouraging message: quality held up well across the West.
To start, oil content stayed strong, particularly in Alberta and B.C., which supports crusher demand. At the same time, No. 1 grading rates remained high overall, meaning most farmers produced canola that meets premium specifications. Finally, protein and fatty acid composition stayed steady, reinforcing the value of current varieties and agronomic practices.
In short, while individual districts showed normal variation, the broader trend suggests that Western Canadian producers again delivered a canola crop that fits both domestic processing needs and export market requirements.
