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Stocks of grain
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At the end of the crop year on July 31, total stocks of durum wheat (used for pasta) and wheat excluding durum (used in breads and pastry) had declined to amounts not seen since the late 1980s. Total stocks of durum fell to 842 000 metric tonnes, down 31.7% from the same date in 2007, and total stocks of wheat excluding durum fell 28.6% to 4.0 million tonnes.
Decreases in both types of wheat were observed in all of the western provinces and in national commercial positions.
Lower production in 2006 and 2007, coupled with a steady demand in the export market, has drawn down durum stock levels. Durum wheat stocks held on farms were down 83.3% from 300 000 tonnes in July 2007 to a very low level of 50 000 tonnes, and commercial stocks were down 15.1% to 792 000 tonnes.
The declines in stocks of wheat excluding durum were primarily the result of a drop in production in 2007, following the lowest spring wheat seeded area in over 30 years. Wheat excluding durum stocks held on farms were down 60.9% compared with July 2007 to 656 000 tonnes, a value not seen since 1995. Stocks held in commercial positions were down just 14.7% to 3.3 million tonnes. The previous five-year average (2003 to 2007) was 3.5 million tonnes.
Note to readersThe annual July farm survey of 15,100 Canadian farmers is a survey of Canadian field crop stocks conducted from July 25 to August 4, 2008. July stocks are a measure of agriculture year end stocks in Canada. Data on commercial stocks of western major crops originate from the Canadian Grain Commission. Commercial stocks of corn and soybeans are estimated by a Statistics Canada sample of grain elevators in Eastern Canada and will be published in the September Estimate of Production of Principal Field Crops on October 2. Data on commercial stocks of special crops originate from a survey of handlers and agents of special crops. |
Available on CANSIM: tables 001-0040 to 001-0043.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3401, 3403, 3443, 3464 and 3476.
The publication Field Crop Reporting Series: Stocks of Canadian Grain at July 31, 2008, Vol. 87, no. 6 (22-002-XWE, free), is now available from the Publications module of our website.
For further information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact David Burroughs (613-951-5138; dave.burroughs@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.
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