Statistics Canada is a forecasting a larger Canadian canola crop this year, although still slightly below 20 million tonnes.
In model-based production estimates released Thursday, StatsCan pegged the 2025 national canola crop at 19.937 million tonnes, up 3.6% from the previous year and potentially the largest crop since 2018 when farmers harvested 20.723 million. The estimate fell below the average pre-report trade guess of 20.3 million tonnes, as well as the upwardly revised Agriculture Canada projection earlier this month of 20.1 million.
At 41 bu/acre, the average expected national yield is up 2.2 bu from last year, offsetting a 2% decline in harvested area to 21.423 million. StatsCan put 2025 canola planted area at 21.617 million acres, up slightly from its June projection of 21.457 million.
Today’s report incorporates satellite imagery and agroclimatic data up until the end of July, when conditions across parts of Western Canada were drier. Wetter weather in August improved crops in many areas, meaning canola production still likely has more room to the upside. StatsCan’s next round of 2025 production estimates, based on conditions as of August, will be released Sept. 17.