Canada thought it would reconnect with a huge mustard seed crop by 2022. In the end, nothing is less certain for the world’s leading exporter in this field. According to data and analytics company Gro Intelligence, a drought lasting a few days could be a game changer a few weeks before the annual harvest, scheduled for September.
High temperatures and almost non-existent rainfall
According to their vegetative health index, weather conditions have deteriorated in recent weeks and are less favorable for growing mustard seeds. Specifically, the soil moisture level is currently lower than it was in 2021. Last year was characterized by production around 50,000 tons after a drop of almost 50% in one year, which was its lowest level in close to half a century.
The North American company delivered pessimistic forecasts for the final stretch before the harvest. The next few days should be marked by high temperatures and little or no rainfall.
Planted area up to 80%
However, fiscal 2022 looked encouraging, according to the Gro drought index, which showed that the country’s mustard-producing regions were less affected this year. A minor phenomenon that was combined with an 80% increase in the areas planted with mustard seeds, or 225,000 hectares.
Therefore, this dramatic increase should not be enough to renew Canada’s mustard seed stocks. The government announced last month that old crop reserves had been depleted. And for good reason, Canadian mustard seed is in particular demand due to its quality, as Gro Intelligence explains:
Source: BFM TV
