Statistics Canada is painting a brighter picture for Canada’s wheat harvest, with national output now expected to surpass both last month’s estimate and last year’s crop.
Wednesday’s Statistics Canada’s model-based crop production estimates – based on conditions as of the end of August – pegged national all wheat production at 36.623 million tonnes. That represents a significant improvement from the federal agency’s initial projection in August of 35.548 million and is now almost 2% larger than the 2024 crop of 35.939 million tonnes. The average all wheat yield is estimated at 51.1 bu/acre, stronger than both the 49.6 bu reported in August and last year’s 50.2 bu.
The upgrade is driven mainly by spring and durum wheat. Spring wheat output is now seen at 26.607 million tonnes, up from 25.992 million in August and just above last year’s 26.532 million. Higher yields of 53.1 bu/acre — up from 51.9 in August and 52.1 in 2024 — offset a 1.5% drop in harvested acres.
Durum wheat production is now forecast at 6.534 million tonnes, a gain from 6.078 million in August and 2.4% higher than 2024’s 6.379 million. Yields are projected at 37.7 bu/acre, compared to 35.1 in August and 37 last year.