December 15, 2008

Ending stocks of the seven major Canadian grain and oilseeds at the end of the 2008-09 crop year will be higher than a forecast made in October and above the level seen last year, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

In updated projections released Friday, 2008-09 ending stocks of the seven major grains and oilseeds were pegged at 15.045 million tonnes. This was up from the October 24 projection of 12.425 million tonnes and the revised 2007-08 level of 10.699 million.

The seven major grains and oilseeds are canola, flaxseed, soy, wheat, oats, barley and corn.

Production of the seven major grain and oilseeds in 2008-09 was forecast at 72.635 million tonnes. This was up from the October projection of 68.128 million and compares with last year's production of 60.736 million.

Total 2008-09 exports of the seven major grain and oilseeds were pegged at 31.850 million tonnes, up slightly from the October projection of 31.325 million and the revised 2007-08 level of 31.646 million.

Total domestic usage of the grains and oilseeds for the 2008-09 crop year was estimated at 39.497 million tonnes, which was up from the October projection of 38.190 million and the revised 2007-08 level of 35.174 million tonnes.

Below are the December 12 estimates for Canadian 2008-09 (August-July) and 2007-08 grain and oilseed supply and demand. Domestic usage numbers include food and industrial use as well as feed, waste, and dockage.