FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - CANADA (10 September)
Prospects for the 2001 cereal crops deteriorated significantly during July and August due to drought in the main producing areas. As of late August, the winter wheat harvest was well underway and yields so far are reported to be well below average. Latest official estimates now put the aggregate wheat output in 2001 at 21.5 million tonnes, 20 percent down from last year’s good crop and below average, despite a similar area sown. For barley, plantings were reduced and yields are estimated to be down, so the 2001 crop is estimated well below last year’s and the average at just 11.6 million tonnes. By contrast, an increased in the maize crop is forecast, by over 20 percent, to about 8.4 million tonnes.