Canadian Special Crop Output 5.15 MMT

VANCOUVER - Nov 12/04 - SNS -- Total Canadian specialty crop output in 2004-05 is now expected to reach 5.15 million metric tons (MT), according to Agriculture Canada.

"Total pulse and special crops supply is expected to increase by only 31% to 5.72 million MT, because of lower carry-in stocks," the 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.

Agriculture Canada noted harvesting of pulse and special crops has been behind normal, but is nearing completion with the exception of sunflower seed, for which the harvest is less than half complete. Average yields were near trend for most crops, but abandonment was higher than normal.

Yields were much lower than trend and abandonment much higher than normal for dry beans in Manitoba and sunflower seed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, due to late seeding, below normal temperatures and damage from excessive rainfall, frost and disease. Average quality is lower than normal due to damage from frost and wet weather.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here