More US Peas, Lentils, but Flax Output Down Hard

American farmers produced more peas and lentils in 2023 compared to a year earlier, but far less flax. 

The USDA’s final 2023 crop estimates on Friday pegged national flax output this past year at just 75,210 tonnes, down almost one-third (31%) from the 2022 crop of almost 109,000. All the reduction was due to a sharp fall in harvested area, which tumbled 34% year-over-year to 160,000 acres – the lowest since just 146,000 acres were harvested in 1997. Meanwhile, the average yield improved slightly, rising 0.8 bu/acre from 2022 to 18.5 bu. 

In contrast to the steep reduction in flax output, 2023 dry pea production climbed to 820,370 tonnes. That’s up from the government’s previous estimate of 779,180 tonnes and represents a 17% increase from the 2022 crop of 703,840. Harvested area, at 941,000 acres, was up 6% on the year, while the average yield increased almost 3 bu/acre to 32 bu/acre.