Statistics Canada reports canola exports at 4.1 million tonnes through the end of March, down nearly fifty per cent from the previous year.
Strong domestic crusher demand is keeping valuable canola supplies at home following a severe drought over Western Canada last year. Total stocks were 3.9 million tonnes as of March 31, representing the lowest level for this date since 2005. On-farm stocks are estimated at 2.2 million tonnes with commercial interests holding the remainder.
Wheat stocks are also lower on decreased production. Statistics Canada says wheat stocks were 10.1 million tonnes, down 38.7 per cent year over year. Domestic use of wheat is up 14.9 per cent, largely on higher demand for animal feed. Exports of wheat fell 44 per cent to 10 million tonnes.
The following crops also have much lower stock levels than one year ago: barley (1.7 million tonnes), oats (947,100 tonnes), peas (1.2 million tonnes) and lentils (949,100 tonnes).
More information in the Statistics Canada chart below:
| March 2020 | March 2021 | March 2022 | March 2020 to March 2021 | March 2021 to March 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousands of tonnes | thousands of tonnes | thousands of tonnes | % change | % change | |
| Total wheat | 18,782 | 16,491 | 10,103 | -12.2 | -38.7 |
| Durum wheat | 3,305 | 2,884 | 1,467 | -12.7 | -49.1 |
| Wheat excluding durum | 15,477 | 13,608 | 8,636 | -12.1 | -36.5 |
| Barley | 3,531 | 3,011 | 1,696 | -14.7 | -43.7 |
| Canola | 10,859 | 7,769 | 3,940 | -28.5 | -49.3 |
| Corn for grain | 7,993 | 8,148 | 9,282 | 1.9 | 13.9 |
| Dry field peas | 1,909 | 1,879 | 1,224 | -1.6 | -34.9 |
| Flaxseed | 304 | 232 | 185 | -23.7 | -20.3 |
| Lentils | 1,678 | 1,439 | 949 | -14.2 | -34.1 |
| Oats | 1,846 | 1,844 | 947 | -0.1 | -48.6 |
| Rye | 127 | 216 | 193 | 70.1 | -10.6 |
| Soybeans | 2,838 | 2,012 | 2,014 | -29.1 | 0.1 |
- The estimates in this table have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
- Wheat types may not add up to total wheat because of rounding.
