Grain exports running well behind year-ago pace

MarketsFarm — Canadian grain exports are running well behind the year-ago pace through the first few weeks of the 2021-22 marketing year, as smaller supplies and high prices limit offshore demand.

Total exports of all of the major grains, oilseeds and pulses as of Sept. 12 of 3.162 million tonnes are down by about 2.1 million from the same time the previous year, according to the latest Canadian Grain Commission report.

Of that total, canola exports-to-date of 297,100 tonnes are 75 per cent behind the 1.194 million tonnes moved during the same timeframe in 2020/21.

Wheat exports of 1.754 million tonnes are running 30 per cent behind the previous year’s pace. However, of that total, durum exports at 475,600 tonnes are one of the few crops seeing exports up on the year. Durum exports are expected to slow down moving through the marketing year, as demand will need to be rationed going forward.

Barley exports-to-date, at only 19,600 tonnes, are well off the 227,000 tonnes moved by the same time the previous year.

Drought conditions across the Prairies during the growing season are expected to have cut into production of most crops, with wheat down 38.3 per cent at 21.7 million tonnes, canola down 34.4 per cent at 12.8 million tonnes and barley down 33.5 per cent at 7.1 million tonnes.

— Phil Franz-Warkentin reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.