In Canada, the wheat harvest is well underway under generally satisfactory conditions. The latest official forecast, based on end-July information, puts the total 1999 wheat output at 25 million tonnes, up about 1.5 million tonnes from earlier expectations and slightly above the 1998 crop. A significant decline in durum wheat production is expected to be more than offset by increased production of other spring wheat. Both the area sown and output of coarse grains are forecast to decline somewhat as farmers have switched land to other non- cereal crops.
Total wheat production in 1999 is currently forecast at 62.8 million tonnes, 9 percent down from last year. The winter wheat crop has been harvested and latest official estimates put output in 1999 at 46 million tonnes, 10 percent down from the 1998 crop. Although yields are estimated to be virtually unchanged, the area planted last autumn fell sharply. The spring wheat harvest is being impeded by poor weather in some areas. Latest forecasts put the total spring crop at about 17 million tonnes, about 8 percent down from 1998. Most of the reduction is due to lower durum wheat yields.
Prospects for the 1999 maize crop have deteriorated. The area sown to maize fell to 28.7 million hectares, 2 percent down from the previous year. In addition, yields have been affected by unfavourable dry conditions and extreme high temperatures in some key-producing areas in the last two dekads of July and August. The latest official forecast of the 1999 maize crop, based on 1 September crop conditions, is 238 million tonnes, some 4 percent down from the above- average crop in 1998. Aggregate coarse grain output is forecast at 262 million tonnes, about 4 percent less than last year.
Planting of the 1999 paddy crop is complete. Crops are reported to be in good condition and four of the six rice producing States are expecting record crops, assuming favourable growing conditions for the rest of the season. Overall, USDA is anticipating an all-time high output of 9.7 million tonnes, 14 percent up on last year.
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