Over the last five years Canada has, on average, accounted for about 50 per cent of total world exports. Oats are less likely to be traded than other grains because of their bulky nature which increases the relative transport costs for oats. However, trade is expected to continue to be supported by increasing food use and specialty feed uses. Canada is expected to have an 85 per cent share of the 1996-97 US import market with Finland and Sweden capturing the remainder. The US takes about 80 per cent of world imports.
Japan is the second largest single country importer with about five per cent of world oat imports.
For 1996-97, area seeded to oats represented six per cent of total Canadian grain and oilseed area. About 87 percent of Canadian oat production is in western Canada. Canada is almost the only country in which 1996-97 oat production is higher than the most recent five year average production. The supply of oats in Canada increased by 1.2 Mt from 1995-96. Domestic Consumption Feed use of oats in Canada represents about 90 per cent of total domestic use.