The numbers are in, the crop is up and the price is down.
Agriculture Canada says farmers harvested 23 percent more special crops this year than last.
More than five million tonnes of pulse crops, mustard seed, canaryseed, sunflower and buckwheat were harvested this fall. That’s up from four million tonnes last fall.
Exports are forecast to increase by 22 percent to 3.2 million tonnes in 2000-01, according to a department report.
Despite higher exports, carryout stocks are expected to increase significantly and Agriculture Canada forecasts average prices for peas, lentils, chickpeas, mustard seed and buckwheat will drop.
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Chickpeas experienced the biggest increase in production due to a near doubling of the harvested area. The 83 percent growth in production will fuel a tripling of exports to the primary markets in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The type of chickpea grown was evenly split between desis and kabulis. The average price for both types and all sizes and grades is forecast to decrease by five to 10 percent.
Lentil production rose 38 percent and exports are expected to increase by 25 percent due to strong world demand. But Canada’s massive crop is going to push prices down. The average price for all types and grades of lentils is forecast to fall about 15 percent.
Peas account for more than half of Canada’s special crops. Production is up 26 percent to 2.8 million tonnes, said the department.
Exports are forecast to increase by 21 percent and domestic use should be 12 percent higher because Canadian farmers are using more peas in hog rations. The average peas price is forecast to decrease by five to 10 percent.
Beans are the one pulse crop where prices are forecast to rise, because Canadian and American production are down.
The department says white pea bean production fell 15 percent while colored bean production increased by 10 percent.
Bean exports are expected to increase by five percent due to less competition from the U.S. Average prices are projected to rise as much as six percent.
Here are a few other highlights from the Oct. 17 report:
- Mustard seed production is down 28 percent, but high carryout stocks are putting downward pressure on prices.
- Canaryseed production is up 16 percent. Exports and prices are projected to remain stable.
- Sunflower growers shifted some production out of the oilseed variety and into confectionery types. The average price for both is forecast to increase by about 10 percent.
- Buckwheat production is up 23 percent, but the price is forecast to decrease slightly.
