Pulses: Tight seed supplies may limit Canadian chickpeas

By Commodity News Service Canada

Winnipeg, March 22 (CNS Canada) – Favourable prices compared to other pulse crops may be generating some extra interest in growing chickpeas in Western Canada this spring, but a lack of good quality seed will limit any expansion, according to industry participants.

“If there was an abundance of seed, I believe chickpea acres would be very strong, but because the planting seed is very restricted and the quality is marginal, we won’t see an expanded acreage in Canada,” said Colin Young of Midwest Grain in Moose Jaw.

India remains a major world pulse buyer, but decreasing domestic prices are expected to lead to a drop in local production in the upcoming growing season, according to reports.

Top end large green lentil bids in Western Canada have trended lower in recent weeks, with number 2 Lairds currently topping out at about 48 cents per pound, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. New crop bids, meanwhile, are lower still at about 32 to 35 cents per pound.

Red lentil bids range from about 20 to 26 cents per pound, with new crop prices topping out at 23 cents.

Green pea bids range from rom C$7.65 to C$8.50 per bushel in Western Canada. Yellow peas range from C$7.00 to C$8.75 per bushel, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire.

Large calibre (10mm) kabuli chickpeas are currently seeing prices top out at 47 cents per pound in Western Canada.