Canada: 2012/13 Canola Seeded Area Forecast at a Record High

The USDA estimates 2012/13 Canada rapeseed area at 8.5 million hectares, up 0.47 million or 5.8 percent from last month; the upward revision is due to good prices and favorable planting weather. Production is forecast to reach 16.30 million tons, up 0.90 million or 5.8% from last year and up 2.14 percent from last year. Yield is forecast to be average.

Statistics Canada’s 2012 Preliminary Estimates of Principal Field Crop Areas released in late June estimates that farmers would expand planted area by 13% from last year due to favorable prices. Saskatchewan farmers, which produce 50 percent of total production, are likely to expand area seeded by nearly 13.5% from last year. Whereas Manitoba farmers, which produces 28 percent of total production, are expect to seed to pre-flood levels 1.4 mH - or up 28% from last year.

Canola planting was completed in mid June across the western prairies. Saskatchewan was the only province that was not able to complete planting because of wet conditions. The Saskatchewan provincial government estimated that approximately 2% of the crop was not planted. Although the growing conditions across the western prairies is cooler and wetter than normal, provincial governments are reporting that canola is maturing on schedule. The quality of the crop is reported as good to excellent. (For more information, contact Arnella Trent at 202.720.0881.)

Visit Crop Explorer http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer

Current USDA area and production estimates for grains and other agricultural commodities are available on IPAD's Agricultural Production page or at PSD Online.