On March 31, the total stocks of all major grains and oilseeds, with the exception of soybeans, were lower than last year. The total stocks of wheat were the lowest in nine years. Stocks of barley declined from last year, but were above the average of the last five years. Total canola stocks were lower than both last year and the five-year average.
Total stocks are the stocks held on farms plus the stocks held in commercial positions.
The farm stocks of durum wheat and of wheat excluding durum both declined from last year. About half the deliveries are processed in Canada, whereas the other half is exported, mostly to Japan, Mexico and the United States. See How to order publications . This was the 13th consecutive month to register an annual increase. The index had shown annual decreases for 31 consecutive months, from July 1994 to January 1997.