OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — After three years of relatively dry springtime plantings, the Prairie Provinces of Canada are welcoming improved soil moisture conditions going into the winter months, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Prior to the start of winter, Saskatchewan’s final crop report of the year said topsoil moisture conditions were better than they were heading into the previous winter. Provincial cropland topsoil moisture was rated as 49% adequate, 44% short and 7% very short.

With an anticipated 6% increase in wheat production for 2024-25, Canada is expected to export 26 million tonnes, an increase of 1% from the previous season. Production for 2024-25 is estimated at 34.9 million tonnes.  

In terms of usage, human consumption is expected to increase due to increases in population. Feed wheat usage is also forecast to increase in 2024-25, the FAS said.

Parrish and Heimbecker (P&H) is adding a third flour mill to its Hamilton, Ontario, port terminal, which will increase flour production from 800 tpd to more than 1,000 tpd, primarily for export, the FAS said. The mill is scheduled to be complete by late 2025.