Canada's Lentil Estimate Increased

VANCOUVER - Dec 7/06 - SNS -- Lentil production in western Canada ended up slightly larger than initially expected, with the final production estimate for 2006 coming in at 698,700 metric tons (MT), up almost 19,000 MT from October, but down 47% from last year's record harvest.

Statistics Canada only estimated production in Saskatchewan, pegging it at 692,800 MT; while STAT Market Research believes another 5,000 MT of lentils were grown in Alberta and 900 MT in Manitoba.

The most significant changes were in the details. Statistics Canada dropped its red lentil seeded area estimate from 670,000 to 625,000 acres in Saskatchewan. Large green area rose from 490,000 to 510,000 acres, while small green fell from 250,000 to 220,000 acres. Inferred area for other and unspecified classes remained at 48,000 acres.

Production by class ended up at 245,400 MT of large green; 306,200 MT of red; 122,900 MT of small green; and 24,200 MT of unspecified classes.

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