Glacier FarmMedia — Canadian wheat and canola production in 2025/26 (Aug/Jul) surpassed early expectations to hit new record highs, according to updated survey-based estimates from Statistics Canada released Dec. 4.
Most other crops grown in Western Canada were also larger on the year and up from the September estimates that were based off satellite imagery.
Total wheat production was forecast at 39.955 million tonnes, which was up from the September estimate of 36.624 million tonnes, 11.2 per cent higher on the year and above the top end of pre-report trade expectations. Of the total, spring wheat was up 10.3 per cent from 2024/25 at 29.259 million tonnes and durum was up 11.8 per cent at 7.135 million tonnes.
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The previous record for total wheat production was the 37.589 million tonnes grown in 2013.
Canola
Canola production was forecast at a record 21.804 million tonnes, up 13.3 per cent on the year and topping the previous high of 21.458 million tonnes set in 2017. Despite lower harvested area, “timely precipitation late in the season in Western Canada helped to push canola yields to or near record highs in all three Prairie provinces,” said StatCan. Average national canola yields for 2025/26 were estimated at 44.7 bushels per acre.
Barley production, at 9.725 million tonnes, is forecast to be up 19.4 per cent on the year, with oats up 16.7 per cent at 3.920 million tonnes. Production for both grains topped trade estimates.
Pulses
Lentil production was forecast to increase 38.3 per cent on the year at a record 3.363 million tonnes, which would be about 1.1 million tonnes above the five-year average.
Pea production was the largest since 2020, up 31.3 per cent from the previous year at 3.934 million tonnes.
Soybeans/Corn
Conditions in Eastern Canada were drier than normal through the growing season, cutting into the production prospects for soybeans and corn.
Soybeans were estimated at 6.793 million tonnes, down 10.2 per cent on the year but still above the five-year average of 6.735 million.
Estimated Canadian corn production, at 14.867 million tonnes, would be down by 3.1 per cent from 2024/25 but still slightly above the five-year average.
The field crop survey was sent to approximately 27,200 Canadian farms and was conducted from Oct. 3 to Nov. 6, 2025. Farmers were asked to report their estimated seeded and harvested areas; yields; and production of grains, oilseeds and special crops.
