FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 04/02 - CANADA (2 April)
The bulk of the 2002 wheat crop is due to be sown from May to June. Early forecasts point to a slight reduction in the area planted with land being switched to other grains and non-cereals. However, assuming a return to normal weather after last year’s dry conditions, wheat yields should recover significantly and the overall crop is tentatively forecast to increase by about 12 percent from 2001. The areas planted to barley and oats (the two main coarse grains) are expected to increase by 15 percent and 30 percent respectively and, with a recovery in yields expected for these grains also, overall coarse grains output in 2002 is forecast to rise significantly.