MarketsFarm — Hot and dry growing conditions earlier in the growing season cut into Canada’s chickpea yields in 2023-24, but quality should be good if the weather co-operates through the harvest.
Canadian farmers planted 315,600 acres of chickpeas in 2023, which was well above the 233,800 acres seeded the previous year, according to Statistics Canada data. Production hit 128,000 tonnes in 2022-23, with the first official production estimates for the current crop year to be released Aug. 29.
Rainfall varied across the Prairies, resulting in average to slightly below average chickpea yields overall, although some localized areas look good, according to Jake Hansen of Mid-West Grain at Moose Jaw, Sask.
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From a pricing standpoint, “we’re not super bullish on the market, but we’re not bearish either,” he said, noting Kabuli prices to the grower were stable in the 47-49 cents/lb. area.
He expected prices would likely stay in that area if other players don’t artificially inflate prices and there are no frost issues before the harvest.
“Assuming we don’t have a frost come in before Sept. 1, we probably should have good quality (chickpeas),” said Hansen. If there is a weather event, leading to more feed-quality chickpeas, that could weigh on the pet food market.
However, a good-quality crop might see feed prices rise, while also weighing on the food-grade side of the equation.
Production elsewhere in the world is thought to be generally in line with historical averages, with no bumper crops but no losses either.
Russia and Turkey both had decent yields and quality, though Hansen pointed out news from the two countries can be inconclusive. He also noted Russia typically grows more smaller-calibre B90 chickpeas than what are grown in Canada, so is exporting into different markets.
— Phil Franz-Warkentin is an associate editor/analyst with MarketsFarm in Winnipeg.
