General Rise in Special Crop Area

VANCOUVER - May 1/09 - SNS -- Agriculture Canada is looking for total specialty crop area in Canada to rose slightly from last year if farmers stick with their intentions to boost field pea and lentil area.

The areas seeded to dry peas, lentils and mustard seed are expected to increase while are areas seeded to dry beans, chickpeas, canary seed and sunflower seed are expected to decrease, notes Bobby Morgan of Agriculture Canada's market analysis branch in Winnipeg.

"The actual seeded areas may differ from the intentions due to changes in the market outlook, expected prices, producer reaction to the STC seeding intentions report and soil moisture conditions at the time of seeding. It is assumed that precipitation will be normal for the growing and harvest periods and that the abandonment rate and quality will be normal. Trend yields are assumed for both western and eastern Canada.

"Total production in Canada is forecast to be largely unchanged at 5.3 million metric tons (MT). However, total supply is expected to rise by 8% to 6.4 million MT, due to large carry-in stocks. Exports and domestic use are forecast to rise due to the higher supply. Carry-out stocks are expected to rise from 2008-09 for most crops. Average prices are generally forecast to fall except for chickpeas and canary seed which are forecast to average the same as 2008-09."

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