Production estimates for most of Canada’s major grain, oilseed and pulse crops were revised higher by Statistics Canada in its first survey-based estimates for the 2023 growing season, released Dec. 4.
Production levels were still down for the year for many crops, as dryness across the Prairies cut into yields.
The survey was conducted from Oct. 6 to Nov. 12, with about 27,200 farmers across the country contacted by StatCan. Previous estimates on the 2023 crop were compiled using a model-based approach and satellite imagery.
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StatCan raised its estimate for the country’s 2023 canola production to 18.33 million tonnes, from 17.37 million in September. That was still down by two percent compared to the previous year.
All wheat production was pegged at 31.95 million tonnes, which was up by more than two million tonnes from the September estimate and at the higher end of trade estimates, but still down by 6.9 percent on the year. Of that total, durum production was relatively steady with the September estimate at 4.05 million tonnes, but down by 30.1 percent from 2022.
Barley production was raised to 8.9 million tonnes, from 7.84 million in September, which was above average trade estimates but still well below the 9.99 million tonnes grown the previous year.
Peas and lentils were pegged at 2.61 million and 1.67 million tonnes respectively, notching small increases from September. However, pea production was still down by 23.8 percent and lentils were down by 27.4 percent.
Most of the country’s corn and soybean crops are grown in Eastern Canada, and production was up on the year. Canadian corn production hit a new record of 15.08 million tonnes, which was up from the September estimate of 14.93 million tonnes and 3.7 percent higher on the year. A 5.2 percent increase in seeded area was offset by a 1.4 percent decline in yields to 158.1 bushels per acre.
Soybean production was up by 6.7 percent nationally, hitting 6.98 million tonnes. That compares with the September forecast of 6.72 million tonnes.
