US canola production expands on strong biofuel demand

Canola acreage in the United States is expected to reach a new record in 2026, surpassing the previous national high of 2.7 million acres. Industry representatives believe upcoming U.S. Department of Agriculture data will confirm a significant increase in planted area.

North Dakota remains the country’s leading canola-producing state, with acreage projected at 2.3–2.4 million acres. At the same time, the crop is gaining popularity in non-traditional growing regions, including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, where farmers are increasingly planting winter canola.

The main driver behind the expansion is rising demand from the renewable diesel and biofuels sector. Growing consumption of vegetable oils as feedstock for renewable fuels is encouraging producers to increase canola plantings. The strongest growth is being recorded in the Mississippi Delta region, where winter canola acreage could expand several-fold in the coming years.

Higher prices and strong production results have also supported farmers’ interest in the crop. In 2025, North Dakota growers achieved record canola yields of about 46 bushels per acre, boosting confidence in the crop’s profitability and encouraging further expansion.

Industry experts believe that if canola continues to spread into new regions of the United States, total acreage could eventually reach 3–4 million acres annually. While this remains well below Canada’s approximately 21 million acres of canola, the expansion strengthens the crop’s role in North America’s food and renewable fuel markets.

Tags: rapeseed, USA, sown area