Canada to plant more canola and fewer pulses in 2026/27

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) expects farmers to expand canola acreage and reduce pulse and specialty crop plantings in the 2026/27 season. Production of most Western Canadian crops is forecast to decline due to a return to average yields, while corn and soybean output is expected to increase.

AAFC said crop rotations, moisture conditions, price expectations and input costs will remain the main factors shaping seeding decisions. Heightened uncertainty around international trade is also expected to influence planting strategies in the coming year.

Wheat area is projected at 10.94 million hectares, down 0.3% year on year. Durum wheat plantings are forecast to decline to 2.46 million hectares, while other wheat area will rise to 8.48 million hectares. With average yields, total wheat production is expected to fall 12.5% to 35.0 million tonnes, while ending stocks are seen dropping to 5.7 million tonnes.

Canola acreage is forecast to rise 1.9% to 8.92 million hectares. However, production is expected to decline to 19.2 million tonnes from a record 21.8 million tonnes in 2025/26 due to lower yields. Canola exports in 2026/27 are projected at 7.5 million tonnes, with ending stocks at 1.65 million tonnes.

Barley area is expected to increase 6.1% to 2.64 million hectares, though production is forecast to decline to 8.45 million tonnes. Oat acreage is projected to rise 1.8% to 1.24 million hectares, with output falling 9.4% to 3.55 million tonnes. Pea area is seen dropping 15.5%, while lentil plantings are expected to decline 9.7%, cutting production to 2.85 million and 2.25 million tonnes, respectively.

In Eastern Canada, improved yields after a hot and dry 2025/26 season are expected to boost soybean and corn production. Soybean area is forecast to rise 2.6% to 2.40 million hectares, with output increasing to 7.6 million tonnes. Corn acreage is expected to decline 0.7% to 1.52 million hectares, but production is projected to rise to 15.2 million tonnes.

Tags: sown area, pea, Canada, wheat, rapeseed, pulses