Canola production in Canada less than government estimate

02-Nov-2024 07:08 PM

Winnipeg. Canada's government agency - Stats Can has estimated domestic production of 19 million tonnes of canola during the current marketing season of 2024-25, while industry-trade analysts say that the actual production may be 10-20 lakh tonnes less than that i.e. around 170-180 lakh tonnes.

In fact, the average yield rate of canola in both the major producing provinces - Saskatchewan and Alberta is being estimated at 33 bushels per acre, on the basis of which some production falls short of Stats Can's estimate.

A report released in the last days of October by the Agriculture Department of the most prominent producing province - Saskatchewan, said that this year the yield rate of canola was 32.7 bushels per acre, while in Alberta province it has been estimated at 33 bushels per acre.

According to Stats Can, this time canola was cultivated in 187 lakh acres in these two provinces and the condition of the crop there was almost normal.

But the industry trade sector says that with an average yield rate of 33 bushels per acre, about 14 million tonnes of canola can be produced in this 187 lakh acre area, while Manitoba province is likely to produce 3 million tonnes. Thus, its total production in Canada is estimated to be around 17 million tonnes.

On the other hand, StatsCan in its September report had estimated the production of 189.80 lakh tonnes of canola in Canada during the 2024-25 season and its average yield rate was expected to be 38 bushels per acre.

According to critics, the estimates of average yield rate and total yield made by the provincial governments seem to be closer to reality.