Pulse Weekly: Looking for trade deal to benefit Canadian growers

Glacier Farm Media | MarketsFarm — As trade talks between Canada and India are soon to restart, Pulse Canada said it’s looking for any deal arising out of those talks to be beneficial for Canadian pulse growers.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, at the recent G20 summit in South Africa. The two leaders agreed to resume trade talks between their countries.

Those negotiations were suspended in 2023 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following substantial allegations that Indian operatives connected to Modi’s inner circle assassinated Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. Since then, Canadian-Indian relations have been frosty for the most part.

At the G20, Carney said India has one of the fastest growing economies and trade between the two countries could more than double to C$70 billion per year.

Strengthening trading relationship with India

“Pulse Canada has long advocated for strengthening Canada’s trading relationship with India through a comprehensive free-trade agreement,” the Pulse Canada spokesperson said in an email to MarketsFarm. “We look forward to working closely with the Government of Canada throughout the negotiation process to help ensure the agreement delivers meaningful, mutual benefits for Canadian farmers and processors, as well as for India’s pulse value chain.”

Foreign imports of yellow peas, especially those from Canada, were entering India duty-free for some time, but late last month the Modi government suddenly imposed a 30 per cent tariff. Reports said pressure from the country’s large farm sector pressured the government for the about-face. The latest duty-free period was scheduled to end in March 2026.

“In 2024, pulses were Canada’s largest export to India, valued at $1.4 billion,” the Pulse Canada spokesperson said. “As the world’s largest consumer of pulse crops, India has been a key market where Canadian growers and exporters have built decades-long relationships. Renewed engagement between our countries is an important step toward greater market stability, lower barriers, and new opportunities for both sides.”

AAFC maintains estimates

Despite India’s tariff on yellow peas, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s November supply and demand report maintained the estimates from October. That included holding 2025/26 production at 3.56 million tonnes, with exports remaining at 2.20 million. Domestic usage was held at 672,000 tonnes with ending stocks staying at 1.20 million.

Yellow pea prices have regained about half of their prices losses, Prairie Ag Hotwire reported. During the week ended Nov. 18, the yellows added 24 cents at C$6.50 to C$7.50 per bushel delivered in Western Canada. Green peas were up 25 cents at C$8.50 to C$10.50/bu. delivered.