September 4, 2008

Ending stocks of the eight major Canadian grain and oilseeds at the end of the 2008/09 (Aug. 1-July 31) crop year will be higher than a forecast made in August, and higher than the level seen in 2007/08, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Ending stocks of the eight major grains and oilseeds in 2008/09 were pegged at 9.820 million tonnes. This was up from the August forecast of 9.416 million tonnes and compares with the 2007/08 level of 9.400 million tonnes.

Canada's eight major grains and oilseeds include: corn, soy, wheat, rapeseed, flaxseed, oats, barley and rye.

Production of the eight major grains and oilseeds in 2008/09 was forecast at 65.131 million tonnes. This was up from the 63.696 million tonnes projected on August 1 and compares with the 2007/08 level of 60.736 million tonnes.

Total exports for 2008/09 of the eight major grains and oilseeds were pegged at 29.775 million tonnes, up from the August projection of 29.175 million but down from the 2007/08 level of 30.750 million.

Total domestic usage of the grains and oilseeds for the 2008/09 crop year was estimated at 38.060 million tonnes, which was up from the 37.413 million forecast made in August. Domestic usage in 2007/08 was pegged at 37.033 million tonnes.