2014 marked a low point for flax in Manitoba, but the crop could be making a comeback with growing demand and interest.

Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA) chair Eric Fridfinnson says flax acreage jumped 50 per cent to 120,000 acres in 2015, and they're hoping to see another 10 to 20 per cent increase this growing season. By 2020, MFGA hopes to reach 250,000 acres of flax in the province.

"We're seeing a fair bit of interest, and we think that's realistic," he says. "We've pretty much put triffid behind us and we're seeing a pretty good premium of flax over canola."

The Flax Council of Canada touts flaxseed for its nutritional benefits, including its fibre and omega-3 fatty acid contents. With consumers becoming more interested in flax as a health food, Fridfinnson says this demand has made the crop even more attractive to Manitoba farmers.

"I think it has created interest and kind of reminded people of flax. I guess the thing is especially we're fortunate in Manitoba that we've actually got quite a few marketers of flax that are serving that human consumption market. They have premium prices to go along with the flax that makes it for human consumption quality," he says.

Fridfinnson says right now, about 50 per cent of our flax goes to China, about 20 percent goes to the U.S., and the rest stays in Canada and smaller markets.