Updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, released March 18, included only minor adjustments, as the agency incorporated the latest acreage forecasts from Statistics Canada released earlier in the month.
Canada spring wheat bids were mixed during the week ended March 17, as the United States futures traded in a wide range and the Canadian dollar weakened. General uncertainty in the world markets due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East accounted for some of the choppiness in the wheat market.
As Egyptian wheat imports in 2026/27 are expected to remain relatively steady from the previous marketing year, the country’s wheat production is projected to bump up, the United States Department of Agriculture attaché in Cairo reported on March 12.
To Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers in Lethbridge, there are two main reasons for recent increases for feed barley and wheat. Haley said on March 12 that there’s an ongoing lack of farmer selling, plus stiff competition from the grain companies looking to export barley.
Canadian farmers expect to plant more canola and less wheat in 2026 compared to the previous year, according to the first planting intentions report from Statistics Canada released March 5. Barley, soybeans and corn area are also expected to increase, while oats, lentils and dry peas are forecast to decrease.
The seasonal fight for acres between soybeans and corn is in full swing in the United States as markets wait to get a clearer picture on planting intentions for the 2026 growing season.
Western Canadian wheat bids as of March 3, 2026 were higher than the previous week, supported by rising U.S. wheat prices and good export demand for Canadian wheat.