Consumption and Trade Mustard seed is typically consumed in the countries where it is produced. During the 1990s, mustard seed exports have increased from 150,000 t in the early 1990s to over 200,000 t by the middle part of the decade. The timing of delivery accounts for the difference between exports and imports. Canada dominates world mustard seed exports with about 80 percent of the exports in 1997. Netherlands, the second largest exporter, is really a transshipper of imported seed.
Imports are much more widely distributed than exports.
Production dropped the following year and since then has been fairly stable at around 240,000 t. In 1998-99, production was 239,000 t, with the yellow type accounting for about 40 percent of the production and brown and oriental each accounting for about 30 percent. Saskatchewan dominated Canadian mustard seed production with 82 percent of the production in 1998-99, followed by Alberta at 16 percent and Manitoba at 2 percent. The Saskatchewan Mustard Growers' Association was formed in 1997 to advance the production of mustard seed and promote the industry. Marketing All of the mustard seed produced in Canada is sold on the open market to dealers.