(A previous version of this story had incorrect data on canola. It has been corrected.)
By Rod Nickel
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Canadian canola stocks were likely the the tightest in four years before the country’s harvest began, while wheat supplies topped those of last year, according to a Reuters survey ahead of a government crop report.
Reuters surveyed 17 traders and analysts ahead of Statistics Canada’s Sept. 6 report on crop stocks as of July 31, 2017, which marked the end of the 2016-17 marketing year.
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The report, using market data and a farmer survey, will gauge how much crop was in the system at the end of the crop year.
Canola in commercial and farm storage is expected to amount to 1.5 million tonnes, traders estimated on average, the smallest mid-summer supplies since 2013 and down 26 percent from a year ago.
Canadian crushers processed more canola during the last crop year and canola seed exports also climbed, according to data from the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association and the Canadian Grain Commission.
Even with a potentially record-large canola harvest this fall, Canadian canola supplies look tight for the coming year, said Glen Pownall, managing director of exporter Cremer Canada.
Crushers in Canada and China look to be strong canola buyers and U.S. duties on biodiesel from Argentina will drive up demand for Canadian canola, a feedstock for biodiesel, Pownall said.
All-wheat supplies are expected, on average, to amount to six million tonnes as of July 31, up 16 percent from last year.
Trade estimates varied widely. Statscan surveyed farmers from July 19 through Aug. 1.
Before the Sept. 6 stocks report, Statscan will estimate Canadian crop production on Thursday.
The following are trade estimates for Statistics Canada’s report on July 31, 2017 year end crop stocks in million tonnes:
| (mln tonnes) | Average | Low Est. | High Est. | Statscan 2016 |
| All wheat | 6 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 5.178 |
| Durum | 1.9 | 1 | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| Canola | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.016 |
| Oats | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.93 |
| Barley | 1.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 1.443 |
| Peas | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.176 |
| Flax | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.274 |
| Corn | 2.3 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 2.243 |
| Lentils | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.073 |
| Soybeans | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.38 |
