New breeding programme for high-protein, non-GM soyabeans adapted for Canada’s climate

Led by NRGene Canada, Pulse Genetics, Hensall Co-op and Yumasoy Foods, with the support of Protein Industries Canada, the group was working towards the development of a novel, soya-based plant protein product for Canadian and global consumers, the 25 June report said.

In addition to strengthening Canada’s identity-preserved (IP) non-GM soyabean market and driving innovation in plant-based food production, the investment would create new opportunities for farmers, while supporting domestic processing and expanding access to high-value international markets, the companies said.

“This project will expand soyabean production across our country, helping to not only create new economic opportunities and a competitive edge for Canadian farmers and producers but also meet the increasing global demand for quality plant-based products,” Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, was quoted as saying.

The new soyabean varieties would be specifically bred for improved yield, resistance to soyabean cyst nematode (SCN), and better adaptation to a range of environmental conditions, the report said.

Although the speciality soyabean market is growing, particularly in regions like Asia where they are used in products such as soya milk and tofu, Canadian farmers have faced increasing challenges in maintaining their share of this export market, according to the report.

With fewer commercial investments in non-GM varieties, farmers had fewer seed options, particularly outside traditional growing zones, the report said.

“This investment gives our farmers the tools they need to stay competitive in the global market, while also creating new economic opportunities here at home, for both farmers and food processors,” Protein Industries Canada CEO Robert Hunter said.

The plant protein product under development would be the first single-ingredient plant-based protein of its kind, the report said.

Extruded whole non-GM soyabeans would be used to create high-protein meat-like shreds that retained the bean’s full range of nutrients and could be used as a mainstream protein such as tofu, or to replace chicken, pork or steak, the companies said.

Protein Industries Canada invested C$1.9M (US$1.38M) into the project, which was part of the organisation’s wider effort to support domestic innovation and drive forward The Road to C$25bn – a national vision to grow Canada’s plant-based food, feed and ingredient sector into a C$25bn (US$18.28bn) industry and make Canada the leading provider of plant-based ingredients, World Grain wrote.