Little Change in Ag Canada's Outlook

VANCOUVER - Nov 10/06 - SNS -- There were no significant changes in Agriculture Canada's specialty crops outlook for the 2006-07 season.

Production forecasts for all crops were left unchanged, pending Statistics Canada final crop estimates for 2006, which are due December 7.

Commenting on the general situation facing Canadian market and growers in 2006-07, Agriculture Canada said, "The main factors to watch are the exchange rates of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar and other currencies, ocean shipping rates and growing and harvest conditions in other major producing countries, especially Australia, India and Mexico."

Lower supplies of specialty crops will result in a general decrease in Canadian exports, domestic use and carry-out stocks in 2006-07. At the same time, average prices, over all types, grades and markets, are forecast to increase for dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, mustard seed, canary seed and sunflower seed, decrease for dry beans and be the same for buckwheat.

"The stronger Canadian dollar, compared to the US dollar, is expected to have the largest impact on dry bean and sunflower seed prices, as Canadian prices for these crops are directly related to US prices," Agriculture Canada added.

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