December 6, 2010

Canadian wheat output to increase

Production of wheat in Canada was estimated to be up 4% from the previous forecast released in October, but was down 14% from 2009, Statistics Canada said.

Rapeseed, corn and soy estimates were also raised from the previous report.

Based on data collected from October 25 to November 12, and compared with year-ago production, Statistics Canada forecast lower production of rapeseed but higher production of corn and soy.

Total Canadian wheat production was forecast at 23,167,000 tonnes, up 4% from October but down 14% from 26,848,000 tonnes in 2009. Spring wheat was forecast at 17,485,000 tonnes, up 6% from October but down 5% from 18,452,000 tonnes in 2009. Durum was forecast at 3,025,000 tonnes, down 1% from October and down 44% from 5,400,000 tonnes last year. Winter wheat was forecast at 2,657,000 tonnes, down slightly from October and down 11% from 2,996,000 tonnes a year ago.

"Farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan reported problems with poor grain quality due to a slow and wet initial harvest and early frost damage," Statistics Canada said. Wheat production declined 21% from 2009 in Manitoba and 26% in Saskatchewan but increased 10% in Alberta.

Statistics Canada forecast 2010 rapeseed production at 11,866,000 tonnes, up 14% from the previous forecast but down 4% from 12,417,000 tonnes in 2009.

Corn production was forecast at 11,715,000 tonnes, up 8% from the prior forecast and up 22.5% from 9,561,000 tonnes in 2009.

Soy output was forecast at 4,345,000 tonnes, up 8% from October and up 24% from 3,507,000 tonnes last year.