STAT Communications Ag Market News

Modest Drop in Specialty Crop Area

OTTAWA - Apr 24/19 - SNS -- Land in pulses and specialty crops will decline this year if farmers stick with their seeding intentions.

Statistics Canada found farmers intend to plant 8.82 million acres of pulses and special crops, down from 8.98 million last year and below the recent five year average of 9.52 million acres.

The only crops showing an increase over last year are peas, which could climb from 3.615 to 4.035 million acres and canaryseed, with farmers saying they will increase area from last year's official 212,100 acres to 228,600.

Lentil area could drop from 3.768 to 3.404 million acres, while dry edible beans fall from 367,500 to 324,700 acres; chickpeas from 442,900 to 334,300; and mustard from 503,800 to 416,300 acres. Sunflower was basically unchanged at an intended 70,600 acres.

The most controversial number remains canaryseed, with processors believing both last year's seeded area and this year's intentions are higher than the official estimates.

Statistics Canada does not break down seeded area by class. Its first estimate of the seeded area by class will be released later in the year.

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