In 2024, Canada's agricultural production has experienced a mix of declines and increases in key crops compared to 2023, according to the latest monthly report from Statistics Canada (Stats Can).
Declines:
- Barley: The production of barley decreased from 89.05 lakh tonnes in 2023 to 81.44 lakh tonnes in 2024.
- Canola (Rapeseed): Canola production fell from 191.92 lakh tonnes to 178.45 lakh tonnes.
- Winter Wheat: The production of winter wheat dropped from 33.38 lakh tonnes to 30.12 lakh tonnes.
Increases:
- Chickpeas: The production of chickpeas is estimated to jump significantly, rising from 1.59 lakh tonnes in 2023 to 2.87 lakh tonnes.
- Lentils: Lentil production is projected to increase from 18.01 lakh tonnes to 24.31 lakh tonnes.
- Soybeans: Soybean production is expected to rise from 65.43 lakh tonnes to 69.81 lakh tonnes.
Wheat:
Overall, the total wheat production in Canada is expected to improve in 2024. The production of spring wheat is projected to increase from 255.20 lakh tonnes to 260.76 lakh tonnes, while the production of durum wheat is expected to see a significant increase from 40.88 lakh tonnes to 58.70 lakh tonnes. However, as mentioned earlier, the production of winter wheat is expected to decline.
The data suggests that while some traditional crops like barley, canola, and winter wheat have seen declines, pulses like chickpeas and lentils, along with soybeans, have shown positive growth in production. Additionally, wheat production as a whole is expected to see an overall increase, largely driven by higher output in spring and durum wheat varieties.