Research
Research into the production and marketing of buckwheat is mainly done in China and Russia, the world's largest producers of buckwheat. Crop improvement research and production programs take place in Canada, Japan, and the Ukraine.

In Canada, Kade Research Ltd. conducts buckwheat research in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Morden, Manitoba. The research team at Morden is a world leader in crosses with wild species. Studies are aimed at developing uniquely Canadian frost resistant, self-pollinating buckwheat. Value added components are also being researched.

The Japan Buckwheat Millers Association and the Canadian special crops industry encourage buckwheat research in Canada. The Manitoba Buckwheat Growers Association and the Manitoba Department of Agriculture are conducting agronomic research throughout Manitoba.

Production
Weather related variability in yields is expected to decrease with the introduction of frost resistant, self-pollinating varieties. However, the market demands new crop product only with high quality standards, which increase the complexity of marketing buckwheat. These factors have influenced price fluctuations in the past, as spot prices can be highly variable.

Overall, in spite of the production and marketing uniqueness of buckwheat, it continues to represent a desirable cash crop alternative to growers and marketers willing to meet the challenge.

Varieties
All buckwheat varieties currently produced in Canada were developed at the Morden research station. Mancan and Manor are being replaced by the large seed varieties AC Manisoba and Koban in commercial production. Koto, a new black hulled variety, is of interest to millers due to increased starch content and soft starch characteristics.