Statistics Canada boosted 2023 canola and wheat production estimates as crops finished better than expected in part of the Prairies.
Crop estimates usually tend to increase in the annual December report, but the numbers for wheat surpassed industry expectations. Timely late summer rains helped revive some crops.
StatsCan estimated all-wheat production at 32 million metric tonnes—compared to the September estimate of 29.8 million tonnes. However, it is still the second smallest wheat crop in six years. Saskatchewan wheat production fell 6.7 percent to 14.2 million tonnes. Yields were down 12.4 per cent to average 37.5 bushels an acre.
Durum production came in at four million tonnes—the second smallest in 13 years and a slight reduction from StatsCan’s previous estimate.
Canadian farmers produced 18.3 million tonnes of canola, up 900,000 tonnes from the previous report, but two per cent lower than last year. Saskatchewan canola production was 9.7 million tonnes. That was down only 0.6 percent thanks to an 8.4 percent increase in seeded area. The average canola yield was pegged at 34.8 bushels an acre in Saskatchewan. Manitoba led the way at 43.2 bushels an acre and Alberta with an average canola yield of 37.9 bushels an acre.
Canadian barley production fell nearly 11 per cent to 8.9 million tonnes. The average Saskatchewan barley yield was pegged at 57.4 bushels an acre—with production at 3.2 million tonnes. Both numbers were down about nine per cent.
Oat production was well behind last year due to lower yields and seeded area. Canadian oat production was cut in half to 2.6 million tonnes, the smallest crop in more than a decade. In Saskatchewan, oat production fell 60 per cent to 1 million tonnes, which worked out to an average of 83.4 bushels an acre.
Moving to the pulses, these are all Saskatchewan-only numbers. The pea crop was 1.3 million tonnes with an average yield of just under 30 bushels an acre. Seeded area and yields were both below normal and it was the same story for lentils. Saskatchewan growers harvested 1.5 million tonnes with an average yield of 1,062 pounds per acre.
Another small flax crop in Saskatchewan at 223,000 tonnes, down 35 per cent. Mustard production was higher due to more seeded area. Mustard production was 13.3 per cent higher to just over 130,000 tonnes. The average yield was 632 pounds per acre.
The final 2023 estimates are based on a survey of 27,200 Canadian farmers, including 7,092 from Saskatchewan. The survey was conducted in the five-week period between October 6th and November 12th.
