OTTAWA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Canadian farmers reported growing more wheat, oats, soybeans, dry peas and lentils, but less canola, corn for grain and barley in 2024, according to the data released by Statistics Canada on Thursday.
In general, yields were higher this year compared with 2023. However, there were some areas, particularly in Western Canada, where farmers continued to face issues related to dry conditions, the national statistical agency said.
Total wheat production rose 6.1 percent year over year to 35 million tonnes in 2024. The increase was driven by higher harvested area, up 8 percent to 6.3 million acres, and yield, up 32.8 percent to 34 bushels per acre.
Canola production decreased 7 percent nationally to 17.8 million tonnes in 2024, driven by lower yields, down 7 percent to 36 bushels per acre and harvested area, down 0.1 percent to 21.9 million acres.
Corn for grain production fell 0.5 percent to 15.3 million tonnes in 2024. Harvested area fell 4.6 percent to 3.6 million acres, offsetting a 4.3 percent increase in yields to 168.7 bushels per acre.
Soybean production increased 8.4 percent to 7.6 million tonnes in 2024. The increase in production was the result of higher yields, which rose 7 percent to 49.1 bushels per acre, while harvested area increased 1.3 percent to 5.7 million acres.
Barley production fell 8.6 percent to 8.1 million tonnes in 2024 because of lower harvested area, down 11.4 percent to 5.9 million acres. The decrease in harvested area was partially offset by a 3.3 percent increase in yields to 63.2 bushels per acre nationally, according to Statistics Canada. ■