Backgrounder

Cargill is an industry leader in developing and marketing high oleic canola oils which meet the demands of end users. Cargill’s specialty canola oils is part of Cargill’s worldwide food processing business, and participates in all aspects including: research and plant breeding, certified seed production, contracting, crushing and marketing of high oleic canola oils.

...driven by end-use demand for a solution to trans fat...

With growing demand from end-use customers for healthier oils, high oleic canola acreage is poised for continued growth. A flurry of studies, media reports and food ads are fuelling consumer interest in cutting trans fats from their diets. High oleic canola oil provides the solution. That’s because the high oleic oil composition is designed to maintain stability in high heat food processing applications - eliminating the need to hydrogenate vegetable oils. It's the process of hydrogenation that creates artery-clogging trans fatty acids. No hydrogenation, no trans fats.

Mandatory trans fat labelling, which came into effect in 2006 in the U.S. and Canada are also ramping up interest in high oleic canola.

Leading the next evolution of canola

Leading this evolution, Cargill sees this as a win-win-win. A win for consumers seeking healthier food choices. A win for canola growers who are the vital link in the value chain - earning higher returns for supplying this sought-after oil down the chain to food companies. And a win for the canola industry too as new end-users bring opportunities for the expansion of high oleic canola production. Meanwhile, commodity canola will continue to be produced for the traditional canola oil market.

Opportunity is knocking

In summary, escalating end-use demand, trans fat labelling changes and new hybrids have all converged to produce an excellent opportunity.