August 11, 2005

Canadian wheat exports expected to surge 17 percent for marketing year

Canadian wheat exports were expected to surge 17 percent for the marketing year that began on August 1, 2005, to reach 17.6 million tonnes, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said. By comparison, 15 million tonnes were exported in the previous marketing year.

Canadian farmers were benefiting from favourable weather in the south-central province of Saskatchewan, resulting in above-average yields for spring, durum and winter wheat crops.

Canadian wheat production was forecast to rise 0.5 percent to 26 million tonnes, the USDA said. That would be the most since 2000-01, when 26.52 million tonnes were gathered.

With the increase in Canadian wheat exports and continued high level of domestic use of wheat there, the USDA expected a small decline in ending stocks to 7.4 million tonnes in 2005-06 from 7.95 million tonnes in 2004-05.