StatsCan confirms Canada’s crop production down in 2021

Corn expected to be lone exception

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Published: August 30, 2021

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Farmer and Grainews columnist Toban Dyck inspects wheat on July 6, 2021 near Winkler, Man., where hot and dry weather has led to thin, uneven stands. (Photo: Reuters/Rod Nickel)

MarketsFarm — Production of most of Canada’s major grain, oilseed and pulse crops was down substantially in 2021-22, as drought conditions across the Prairies cut into yields, according to preliminary estimates released Monday by Statistics Canada.

Of the major crops, only corn was expected to see a slight increase in production on the year as conditions were more favourable in Ontario, where the bulk of the crop is grown.

“Farmers across Western Canada have had to contend with a lack of rain and higher-than-average temperatures throughout the growing season,” StatsCan said.

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“This has exacerbated soil moisture conditions, which were already low at the start of the year. These factors have negatively impacted crop growth and yield potential across much of the Prairies.”

Canadian wheat production was estimated at 22.9 million tonnes, which would be down 34.8 per cent from the 35.2 million tonnes grown the previous year. Of that total, durum production was down 39.2 per cent on the year at an estimated four million tonnes. Both were in line with pre-report trade expectations.

Canola production is forecast to come in at its lowest level since 2012, at 14.7 million tonnes. That was in line with expectations and compares with the upwardly-revised 19.5 million tonnes grown in 2020-21.

“Canada has a herculean rationing job ahead on all of these commodities,” MarketsFarm Pro analyst Mike Jubinville said.

That doesn’t mean that prices need to rise every day, he said — but it does mean Canadian prices will need to trade at premium levels in order to discourage demand.

Actual production was likely smaller than these estimates, he said, given the satellite imagery methodology used.

“Even though the sophistication of the satellite imagery is getting better every year, it doesn’t address the amount of acres abandoned… and it doesn’t capture the degree of the crops that didn’t properly fill.”

Barley and oats, at 7.8 million and 3.1 million tonnes respectively, were down by 27 and 20 per cent respectively on the year.

Among pulse crops, pea production is estimated to be down 43 per cent from 2020-21 at 2.6 million tonnes. Lentils, at two million tonnes, were down by 31 per cent.

Meanwhile, corn production was up by 0.8 per cent at 13.7 million tonnes, with the bulk of the crop grown in Ontario. Soybeans, at 5.8 million tonnes, were down by 8.4 per cent on the year.

Satellite imagery and historical modeling were used to compile the numbers, with the final survey-based estimates set for release on Dec. 3.

Table: A quick summary of Statistics Canada’s August principal field crop production estimates for 2021-22, with trade estimates and year-ago numbers included for comparison. Production in millions of metric tonnes. Source: Statistics Canada.

Pre-report
trade estimates,      . August
2021-22 2021-22.   . 2020-21
All wheat 18.900 – 25.400 22.948 35.183
– Durum 3.300 – 5.400 3.998 6.571
Oats 2.500 – 3.300 3.070 4.576
Barley 6.500 – 10.100 7.836 10.741
Canola 11.500 – 16.000 14.749 19.485
Grain corn.   . n/a 13.677 13.563
Soybeans n/a 5.823 6.359
Peas 2.500 – 3.800 2.627 4.594
Lentils 1.800 – 2.600 1.979 2.868

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About the author

Phil Franz-Warkentin

Phil Franz-Warkentin

Editor - Daily News

Phil Franz-Warkentin grew up on an acreage in southern Manitoba and has reported on agriculture for over 20 years. Based in Winnipeg, his writing has appeared in publications across Canada and internationally. Phil is a trusted voice on the Prairie radio waves providing daily futures market updates. In his spare time, Phil enjoys playing music and making art.

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