Canola Area Backing Off in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Mar 31/20 - SNS -- U.S. canola producers intend to plant 1.99 million acres of canola in 2020, down 3% from last year's planted area, according to the USDA.

Despite the decline, planted acreage for the Nation will represent the third highest planted area on record. Compared with last year, planted area is expected to decline in 4 of the 6 major canola-producing States, with acreage increases only expected in Minnesota and Montana.

Planted area in Oklahoma, at 12,000 acres, is the lowest since 2009, the first year estimates were published for the State. Planted area in North Dakota, the leading canola-producing State, is down 2% from last year. If realized, planted area in Montana, at 175,000 acres, will be a record high.

Canola Area Planted - States and United States: 2018-2020
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                    :                                 Area planted
        State       :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :       2018        :       2019        :      2020 1/      :    Percent of
                    :                   :                   :                   :   previous year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :      ----------------- 1,000 acres -----------------             percent
                    :
Idaho 2/ ...........:         43.0                (NA)                (NA)               (X)
Kansas .............:         47.0                29.0                10.0                34
Minnesota ..........:         46.0                51.0                62.0               122
Montana ............:        120.0               150.0               175.0               117
North Dakota .......:      1,590.0             1,700.0             1,660.0                98
Oklahoma ...........:         70.0                35.0                12.0                34
Oregon 2/ ..........:          4.7                (NA)                (NA)               (X)
Washington .........:         70.0                75.0                70.0                93
                    :
United States ......:      1,990.7             2,040.0             1,989.0                98
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(NA) Not available.
(X)  Not applicable.
1/   Intended plantings in 2020 as indicated by reports from farmers.
2/   Estimates discontinued in 2019.