Both Canada and the United States are forecast to have lower wheat exports in 2021/22 with reduced supplies and higher prices, especially for spring wheat.
As U.S. and Canadian exportable supplies contract, importers seeking high-quality wheat are increasingly likely to shift toward Australia for additional supplies.
Canada exports are expected to plummet 18% from record 2020/21 exports to 23.0 million tons in 2021/22. The supply situation is constrained by beginning stocks which are forecast at the lowest in decades, drawn down in part by large exports to China throughout 2020/21.
Production in Canada is forecast lower as a shift toward barley and oilseeds led to reduced wheat plantings. In addition, yields are forecast lower amid unfavorable weather conditions. Current high prices in Canada reflect the tight carryin and the lower expected production.
Meanwhile, U.S. wheat exports are projected to tumble nearly 8% to 24.5 million tons. While winter wheat production is up from the prior year, durum and other spring wheats are lower, reflecting favorable returns for other crops and dry conditions in the Northern Plains.
The U.S is also starting with much tighter beginning stocks of all wheat, the lowest since 2014/15. The smaller exportable supplies of durum and spring wheat from Canada and the United States have are likely to underpin high prices this marketing year.
The tightening supply situation for Canada and the U.S. contrasts with the more ample supply situation for Australia, a close competitor in Asian markets. Australia exports are forecast up 13% to 22.0 million as a large crop is expected for the second year since emerging from a multi-year drought.
While Canada and the U.S. will likely continue to dominate in the Western Hemisphere, Australia has the potential to both solidify and grow market share in Asia, especially in white wheat markets.
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