Larger Manitoba Crops Boost National Corn, Soy Output

Already record large, the 2023 Canadian corn crop has been revised even higher, with the soybean crop bigger as well – mainly due to larger than previously estimated crops in Manitoba. 

Statistics Canada’s final crop report for the 2023 season on Monday estimated the national corn crop at 15.07 million tonnes, up slightly from the agency’s September forecast of 14.93 million and 3.7% above the 2022 crop of 14.53 million. If accurate, it would push the crop even further above the previous high of 14.61 million achieved in 2021. Meanwhile, soybean output was reported at 6.98 million tonnes, compared to 6.72 million previously and up 6.7% on the year. 

At 3.75 million acres, corn harvested area was raised slightly from September, more than offsetting a small decline in the average yield to 158.1 bu/acre from 158.3 bu – down from 160.4 bu a year earlier. Soybean harvested area, at 5.5 million acres, was basically steady from September, with the average yield rising to 45.9 bu/acre from 44.2 bu and matching the 2022 average. 

In the No. 1 production province of Ontario, corn output is now reported at 9.63 million tonnes, down from 9.74 million in September but still up 2% from the province’s 2022 crop of 9.44 million. The average yield was reduced to 170.9 bu from 172.9 bu. That is still above the 2022 yield of 166 bu/acre but below the 2021 average of 175.2 bu.  

The Ontario soybean crop came in at 4.03 million tonnes, up from 3.98 million in September as the average yield was raised to 51.4 bu/acre from 50.5. Last year’s soy crop in the province amounted to 3.99 million tonnes, with an average yield of 48 bu/acre. 

Corn production in Manitoba is estimated at 1.78 million tonnes, up significantly from 1.5 million in September and above 1.33 million last year. The average yield, at 128.4 bu/acre, was revised up a hefty 16.6 bu from September but remains below the 2022 average of 140.9 bu. At 1.56 million tonnes, the province’s soybean crop was bumped up from 1.37 million in September, with the average yield rising to 36.2 bu/acre from 32.1 bu. Last year’s soy crop in the province came in at 1.31 million tonnes, with an average yield of 43 bu/acre. 

Quebec corn production, at 3.34 million tonnes, is down marginally from 3.44 million in September and below 3.56 million in 2022. The average yield is estimated at 148.1 bu/acre, compared to 151.9 bu in September and 158.3 bu last year. The province’s soybean crop is pegged at 1.26 million tonnes, steady from September and up 12.6% on the year. This year’s average soy yield is estimated at 46.9 bu/acre, up from 43.7 bu in 2022.