Canadian farmers reported producing more corn for grain and soybeans, but less wheat, canola, barley, and oats in 2023. Lower production for most crops was driven largely by lower yields, especially in Western Canada where growing conditions were generally drier than in 2022.
Throughout the growing season in 2023, dry conditions across much of Western Canada contributed to lower yields compared with 2022. Warm and dry conditions allowed farm operators to complete harvests in a timely manner across most of the prairies. In parts of Eastern Canada, adequate moisture and warm temperatures resulted in good yields, although some parts of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces may have been affected by above-average precipitation.
Wheat harvest decreases on lower yield
Total wheat production fell by 6.9% to 32.0 million tonnes in 2023, attributable to lower production in the Prairies, likely because of dry conditions. Lower yields (-12.1% to 44.5 bushels per acre) offset the higher harvested area (+6.0% to 26.4 million acres).
Saskatchewan wheat production fell by 6.7% to 14.2 million tonnes. Yields decreased by 12.4% to 37.5 bushels per acre, offsetting higher harvested area, which rose by 6.4% to 14.0 million acres.
Click here to see more...