Pulse weekly: Canadian pea exports up in April

Glacier FarmMedia — Canadian pea exports were up in April, with China the largest destination despite new trade barriers, according to the latest Statistics Canada data.

Canada exported 214,693 tonnes of peas in April, which was roughly triple what moved the previous month, reported StatCan. China was the top destination for Canadian peas in April, accounting for three-quarters of the total despite having imposed 100 per cent tariffs on those peas at the end of March.

Marketing year-to-date pea exports of 1.995 million tonnes were running about 10 per cent off the year-ago pace. India is the top customer through nine months, with China a close second.

Old crop yellow pea bids currently top out at C$10.25 per bushel in Western Canada, with green peas priced as high as C$16.50/bu., according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. New crop pricing for yellow peas ranges from C$9.00 to C$9.50/bu., with greens around C$13.00 to C$13.50/bu.

Canadian lentil exports in April of 64,242 tonnes were down 21 per cent from March, but total year-to-date movement at 1.585 million tonnes was running 23 per cent ahead of the year ago pace.

Colombia and Morocco were the largest destinations in April, but India remained the largest importer of Canadian lentils on the year, accounting for a third of the annual total despite taking only 771.5 tonnes in April.

Canada exported about 18,500 tonnes of chickpeas in April, which was down from 23,200 tonnes moved the previous month. Year-to-date chickpea exports at 153,334 tonnes are running eight per cent behind the 2023-24 pace.