Farmers planted less flax in 2023 than last year, according to Statistics Canada’s survey-based estimates.
The agency pegged this year’s crop at 609,200 acres, a drop of nearly 22 percent from last year. In fact, this year’s flax crop is the smallest seeded area since 1950, when 584,000 acres were planted.
Agriculture Canada forecast 2023 flax production at 375,000 tonnes, down almost 21 percent from 2022. Ending stocks are to fall from 275,000 tonnes last year to 165,000, with now a strong likelihood of dropping further.
As well, Scott Shiels of Grain Millers Canada in Yorkon, Sask., said yields will be down because “the flax is not liking this hot, dry weather.”
