Canada: Barley and wheat planting reported as smaller than intended in March

Canadian farmers planted less wheat and barley for harvest 2024 than they had intended in March, and than the market expected, supporting prices on June 27.

The market had expected the Canadian planted wheat and oat areas to be similar to the March survey of planting intentions (LSEG). LSEG also reported expectations for a small increase (+0.6%) to the canola (rapeseed) area compared to March’s intentions, with a decline for barley (-2.9%).

However, the survey results from Statistics Canada, released yesterday, were surprising. They showed Canadian farmers had planted 1.5% less wheat than they had intended in March, along with far less barley (-10.5%) and oats (-5.5%). The smaller than expected wheat area helped support global wheat prices.

Canada is the world’s fourth largest exporter of wheat. The planted area is slightly smaller than 2023 so unless yields rise more than currently expected, this could reduce the predicted recovery in Canadian production. A smaller Canadian crop could further tighten global exportable supplies of wheat, depending on harvest results elsewhere.

However, so far, current crop conditions are generally good, though crops are behind typical development stages in some areas. LSEG expects the forecast for a cool and damp start to July to be favourable for yield prospects, though it will not help crops progress.

While the Canadian barley area was already expected to dip year-on-year, the 2024 area is now much sharply lower, at a seven year low. So, even with a recovery in yields from last year’s drought affected levels, Canadian barley production looks set to fall in 2024. Depending on the extent of the recovery in yields and results elsewhere, this could reduce the expected global barley surplus in 2024. In turn, this could reduce the pressure on barley prices compared to other feed grains depending on what happens elsewhere.

Even before the latest data, Canadian oat supplies in 2024/25 already looked tight due to very low carry-over stocks from 2023/24 (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, AAFC). As a result of the smaller rise in planted area, yields will need to be well-above normal to maintain the current production forecast. Without such yields, this could tighten Canadian and so global oat supplies.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .