Major Yield Revisions for Some Pulses

OTTAWA - Sep 14/20 - SNS -- Projected yields for most pulses and special crops underwent significant revisions between Statistics Canada's August and September production crop reports.

Both were based on yield models using satellite technology. But above average temperatures in August apparently hurt peas more then lentils, beans and chickpeas in the time between Statistics Canada assembled data for its August and September estimates.

Statistics Canada noted that "overall plant health" in western Canada "was equal to or much higher than normal for most of the region. Conversely, plant health in eastern Canada is, for the most part, average, likely due in part to the lack of rain."

Projected yield declines in peas were more than improvements in lentils, chickpeas and dry edible beans, with the result production of all pulses is believed to be up 4%, rising from 8.029 to 8.333 million metric tons (MT).

Statistics Canada also believes the condition of other special crops improved since the August report, with estimated canaryseed output up 6% at just under 159,000 MT. Projected mustard seed output rose 13% from almost 91,100 MT to around 103,000, while sunflower was basically unchanged at just over 95,000 MT.