Quality of western Canadian flaxseed 2020

Free fatty acids content

Average free fatty acids content (0.16%) in Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western is slightly lower than the average in 2019 (0.19%) and10-year mean (0.18%; Figure 4). The average in Manitoba (0.18%) and Alberta (0.18%) was higher than the average in Saskatchewan (0.15%; Table 5). Samples that graded No. 2 and No. 3 Canada Western, however, had an average free fatty acid content of 0.35%.

Figure 4 – Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western
Free fatty acids content of harvest samples, 2010 to 2020

2020 average	0.16%
2019 average	0.19%
2010–19 mean	0.17%

• Figure 4 details

  Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western, Free fatty acids content of harvest samples, 2010 to 2020

  	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2010 to 2019
  Free fatty acids content in oil (FFA, %)	0.20	0.20	0.20	0.13	0.16	0.19	0.19	0.18	0.15	0.19	0.16	0.17

Fatty acid composition

Average α-linolenic acid (C18:3) content (55.8%) in Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western was lower than the 2019 average (58.8 %) and the 10-year mean (57.4%; Figure 5).

The average iodine value of oil from Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western samples is 189.0 units. The 2020 iodine value was lower than in 2019 (194.9) and the 10-year mean (192.1 units; Figure 6). Iodine values for Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western samples from producers across western Canada varied from 173.5 to 201.6 units.

Similar to the relationship of oil content and environmental conditions, α-linolenic acid and iodine values tend to increase as temperatures decrease and when soil moisture conditions are adequate.

Figure 5 – Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western
Percent α-Linolenic acid content of harvest samples, 2010 to 2020

2020 average	55.8%
2019 average	58.8%
2010–19 mean	57.4%

• Figure 5 details

  Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western, Percent α-Linolenic acid content of harvest samples, 2010 to 2020

  	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2010 to 2019
  α-Linolenic acid in oil (FFA, %)	58.8	57.6	56.8	56.0	57.9	57.2	57.8	57.7	55.9	58.8	55.8	57.4

Figure 6 – Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western
Iodine value of harvest sample, 2010 to 2020

2020 average	189.0
2019 average	194.9
2010–19 mean	192.1

• Figure 6 details

  Flaxseed, No. 1 Canada Western, Iodine value of harvest sample, 2010 to 2020

  	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2010 to 2019
  Iodine value (units)	194.6	192.5	190.7	189.9	192.9	191.5	192.2	192.5	189.7	194.9	189.0	192.1