The recent export of quality oats to Canada is welcome news. The international oat market is once again in oversupply and prices are on the floor. So an export market away from these islands is a pleasant development, both in terms of having oats consumed and also in terms of showing the very high quality and traceability associated with the Irish crop.

The export to Patterson Grain in Winnipeg, Canada, was organised by R&H Hall Ltd on behalf of a number of merchants. This specific consignment will be shipped onwards to Minnesota in the US where it will be milled for porridge.

Commenting on the export Tom Kelly, manager of the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) said it was good to see IGAS assured merchants exporting assured grain from IGAS growers. “The picture in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal showed 11,000t of dust free oats being loaded under supervision in Dublin Port for export to Canada. The picture showed the efficient handling and supervision of the loading process,” Tom stated.