U.S. Flax Area up 62%

WASHINGTON - Mar 30/12 - SNS --Flaxseed producers in the United States intend to plant 289,000 acres of flaxseed in 2012, up 62% from 2011 but down 31% from 2010, according to this year's seeding intentions report from the USDA.

Acreage in North Dakota, the largest flaxseed-producing State, is expected to increase 73% from 2011. Growers in that State were unable to plant all of their intended acreage last year due to unfavorable spring planting conditions.

Flaxseed Area Planted - States and United States: 2010-2012
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                    :                                 Area planted
        State       :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :       2010        :       2011        :      2012 1/      :    Percent of
                    :                   :                   :                   :   previous year
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                    :        --------------- 1,000 acres ---------------               percent
                    :
Minnesota ..........:          4                   3                   3                 100
Montana ............:         15                  17                  16                  94
North Dakota .......:        390                 150                 260                 173
South Dakota .......:         12                   8                  10                 125
                    :
United States ......:        421                 178                 289                 162
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1/  Intended plantings in 2012 as indicated by reports from farmers.