Western Canada's Special Crop Harvest Jumps

VANCOUVER - Oct 8/04 - SNS -- Agriculture Canada is now forecast total western Canadian specialty crop production will rise 44% to 5.28 million metric tons (MT) for a 34% increase in available supplies to 5.84 million MT, as reduced carry-in stocks moderate the impact of the larger harvest.

In its monthly review of specialty crops, Agriculture Canada's market analysis branch in Winnipeg said, "Although exports and domestic use are forecast to increase due to the higher supply, strong demand and lower prices for most crops, carry-out stocks are also expected to increase.

"Average prices, over all grades and markets, are forecast to increase from 2003-04 for dry beans, chickpeas and sunflower seed, decrease for dry peas, lentils, mustard seed and canary seed, and be the same for buckwheat. However, prices are expected to be volatile due to the late harvest and uncertainty about production volumes and quality."

Agriculture Canada noted that this year's harvest is up to five weeks behind schedule, depending on the crop. The dry pea and lentil harvest is nearing completion, but a significant portion of mustard seed and most of dry beans, chick peas, canary seed and buckwheat remain to be harvested. The sunflower seed harvest is expected to start in mid-October.

"Warm and dry weather is needed to complete the harvest. Average yields are expected to be near trend, but abandonment is expected to be higher than normal and average quality lower than normal due to damage from frost and wet weather."

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