Canadian farm cash receipts slipped modestly in the first quarter of 2026 as weaker crop returns and sharply lower government program payments offset continued strength in the livestock sector.
A Statistics Canada farm income report Wednesday showed total farm cash receipts from January through March at $25.1 billion, down $406.9 million or 1.6% from the same period in 2025.
The decline was driven mainly by lower crop receipts and reduced direct payments to producers, although stronger cattle and livestock markets helped cushion the drop. Farm cash receipts include crop and livestock sales along with government program payments.
Crop receipts fell 3.2% in the first quarter to $12.5 billion as large global grain and oilseed supplies continued to pressure prices and reduce export demand for many commodities.
Receipts for cereals and grains posted some of the largest declines. Wheat receipts, excluding durum, fell nearly $300 million as both prices and marketings weakened compared to a year earlier. Durum receipts declined another $112.4 million, while corn receipts were down $82.4 million due largely to lower production and reduced marketings in Eastern Canada.
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