Glacier FarmMedia — Although the price increases for Canadian yellow peas have started to slow, there could be more of the peas planted come spring, said Kress Schmidt, broker with Johnston Grains in Calgary.
Schmidt said the Calgary office hasn’t traded in yellow peas since around Jan. 21.
“Some buyers have been cooling off,” he said, noting the yellows fetched C$7.50 to C$8 per bushel picked up, with delivered around C$8.25/bu. and free on board farm close to that range as well.
Prairie Ag Hotwire reported old crop yellow peas increased by 36 cents during the week ended Jan. 26, at C$6.75 to C$8.25/bu. delivered. The new crop prices were C$6.30 to C$6.65/bu. delivered.
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Canada-China deal
The impetus for the increase was the agreement Canada and China reached on Jan. 16, to reduce tariffs on each other come March 1. While Canada will slash its levy on Chinese-made electric vehicles from 100 per cent to 6.1 per cent, China will drop is duties on Canadian yellow peas, canola seed and canola meal from to 15 per cent.
While pea prices are better, Schmidt said some farmers had issues growing them.
“Some guys might be a bit standoffish” when they consider seeding them come spring, he noted. But he said farmers will likely stick with their crop rotations in 2026/27, making a few adjustments.
Also, Schmidt pointed out that Canada and China are still going back and forth on trade issues. He wasn’t sure if pulses were going to be included in forthcoming trade discussions between Canada and India.
AAFC projections for 2026/27
On Jan. 21, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released its monthly supply and demand estimates, including their initial projections for 2026/27.
For dry peas, AAFC forecast planted area at 1.20 million hectares, down from 1.42 million in 2025/26. The yield is expected to drop from 2.85 tonnes per hectare to 2.43, with production slotted at 2.85 million tonnes, compared to 3.93 million last year.
Total domestic use is to remain relatively stable at 680,000 tonnes and exports are bump up by 200,000 tonnes at 2.70 million. Ending stocks are to retreat from 1.27 million tonnes to 755,000.
