Special Crop Stocks Down 14%

OTTAWA - Feb 4/14 - SNS -- Inventories of all grains, oilseeds and special crops included by Statistics Canada in its December 31 stocks in all position report were up nearly 30% from the same date in 2012. However, special crop inventories were down 14% on stronger export movement for the August through December period.

Discussing the general situation in western Canada, Statistics Canada said, "Increased crop production in 2013, especially on the Prairies, resulted in the overall growth in stocks. On-farm stocks grew significantly, while commercial stocks were down."

Its is important to note that Statistics Canada performs the only official surveys of farmers for grain stocks, seeding intentions and area, and production. The December survey covered 10,682 Canadian farms between January 3 to 12. Data on commercial stocks of western major crops originate from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). Data on commercial stocks of special crops originate from a survey of handlers and agents of special crops.

Specialty crop markets were disappointed with the report because Statistics Canada dropped coverage of chickpeas, mustard and sunflower seed. Even so, it included those crops in any historic revisions made in this report. Data for the crops was suppressed for reasons of confidentiality.

With the change, Statistics Canada only looked at December 31 stocks for field peas, lentils and canaryseed. The combined total was down 14% from last year at 3.417 million metric tons (MT).