April 30, 2007

Canada's 2007/08 grain and oilseed output down from March forecast

Production of the eight major grains and oilseeds in Canada in the upcoming 2007/08 crop year which begins Aug 1, 2007, was forecast to drop fractionally from a forecast made a month ago, but will still be up from the level seen during the 2006/07 season, according to data from the market analysis branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Production of the eight major grains and oilseeds in 2007/08 was pegged at 66.265 million tonnes, which was down from the March projection of 67.226 million and the 64.423 million produced in 2006/07.

The eight major grains and oilseeds include: canola, flaxseed, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, corn and rye.

Total exports of the eight major grains and oilseeds from Canada during 2007/08 were expected to hit 29.280 million tonnes. This was unchanged from the projection in March, but down from the 32.110 million forecast for 2006/07.

Total domestic usage of the grains and oilseeds for 2007/08 was estimated at 40.741 million tonnes. This was down from the 40.846 million projected a month ago and compares with the 2006/07 level of 39.008 million.

Ending stocks of the eight major grains and oilseeds in 2007/08 were pegged at 13.260 million tonnes, which was down from the March carryover projection of 14.095 million and the 2006/07 forecast of 14.775 million.