ST. ALBERT, Alberta, Canada -- The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), whose members represent 95 percent of the North American peat production, has announced the results of its members’ survey regarding level of harvest for the 2016 season. The survey was conducted on the status of their 2016 Actual Harvest as a percentage of their 2016 Expected Harvest on August 31.
Overall the season has been disappointing with no peatland harvest region achieving the expected harvest volumes. In New Brunswick, the industry is slightly below average in its expected harvest volumes. (New Brunswick North, 93 percent, New Brunswick South, 76 percent). A wet cool summer restricted harvesting. The harvest on Québec’s South Shore (89 percent) is below expectations. However, some producers were able to achieve targeted volumes. In Québec's North Shore (75 percent) the results are less favorable with no producer achieving their harvest expectations. Unfavorable weather conditions throughout the harvest period made for difficulties.
The Prairie Provinces (MB, SK & AB), have experienced a poorer (Manitoba, 83 percent, Saskatchewan, 70 percent, Alberta, 79 percent) harvest primarily due to adverse weather. Minnesota has experienced a similarly lower than expected harvest with only 84 percent achieved. Further adjustments to this release may be made dependent on the ability to harvest in the fall season. The industry had lower carryover inventory volumes from the previous harvest season. As in the past, the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA) members are committed to working cooperatively with their commercial business partners.
Definitions:
2016 Actual Harvest: The volume of CFT of harvest that corporately was achieved as of August 31, plus, what can reasonably be expected to be harvested for the last few weeks of the season considering "normal" harvesting conditions.
2016 Expected Harvest: The volume of CFT that equates to a) market needs, plus, b) anticipated buffer as at the end of the 2016 season, minus, c) inventory on hand at the start of the 2016 season (what was left of the 2015 buffer).