AgPulse Analytica is reporting that the red lentil crop is in trouble in two key states of Australia — South Australia and Victoria. | Reuters photo

Aussie red lentil crop in trouble

SASKATOON — Canada’s top competitor in the red lentil export market is experiencing problems. AgPulse Analytica is reporting that the crop is in trouble in two key states of Australia — South Australia and Victoria. Related stories: Pulse Weekly: Lentil prices poised for drop, depends on India Canada takes reins after poor Aussie lentil crop […] Read more

Complaints about Statistics Canada’s numbers on mustard, dry beans, canaryseed and other small acre crops popped up in presentations and panel discussions throughout the day-and-a-half Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Conference, which drew participants from across Canada and from 21 other countries. | Getty Images

Small crop traders worry about Statistics Canada data

Analysts blame consistent problems with production and export numbers on insufficient resources at the federal agency

Numbers matter in the special crops world — a lot. That was clear at the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Conference, in which longstanding unhappiness with Statistics Canada’s data on a number of crops kept bubbling to the surface. “I’ve never agreed with StatsCan carry-over numbers on the small crops,” said Kevin Dick, president of […] Read more

Canaryseed exports have dropped below 120,000 tonnes from almost 160,000 tonnes in 2014.  |  File photo

Competition grows tougher for pulse exporters

International buyers turned to new suppliers during recent drought years, and it will be difficult to get the business back

Buyers from around the world were in Winnipeg last week for the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Convention. However, the sobering news for Canadian farmers, marketers and processors was that those buyers don’t always have to rely on Canada these days. “For a number of crops, like durum, like flax, Canadian isn’t the … […] Read more


China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Sept. 3 that it is initiating an anti-dumping investigation into canola seed imports from Canada. The case is reminiscent of Nov. 19, 2018, when China initiated an anti-dumping investigation into Australian barley. | File photo

China’s canola threat similar to Aussie barley experience

The big difference is that China is more reliant on Canadian canola than it was on barley shipments from Australia

SASKATOON — Canada’s canola growers could learn something from Australia’s barley farmers when it comes to the latest potential trade barrier with China. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Sept. 3 that it is initiating an anti-dumping investigation into canola seed imports from Canada. Related stories: The case is reminiscent of Nov. 19, 2018, when China […] Read more

Canola is harvested Sept. 2 south of Delisle, Sask. The recent news that China is launching an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola has created uncertainty for growers.  |  Paul Yanko photo

‘It feels like a different game’

SASKATOON — Mike Jubinville spent a portion of his weekend poring over his canola supply and demand balance sheet. “To be honest with you, I was starting to feel pretty optimistic about canola,” he said. Related stories: The numbers indicated there would be extended periods of 2024-25 where the market would need to ration supplies, […] Read more


The canola industry is much more developed than it was in 2018. Major new crushing capacity has been built, with more coming, so not only are canola exports more segmented today, but huge North American demand for biofuel stocks has been soaring. China doesn't have the same hammer lock on Canadian exports as it once did. | File photo

Chinese tariffs not expected to stop canola flow

Anti-dumping investigation announcement has an immediate affect on prices, but market access not seen as major worry

China’s shot across Canada’s bows is splashing alarmingly close to U.S. farmers. “We’re in the same boat,” said Barry Coleman, executive director of the Northern Canola Growers Association. “It’s not a situation where the Canadian grower is getting less than the U.S. grower. They’re both affected the same.” Canadian canola futures on the ICE exchange […] Read more

MarketsFarm analyst Mike Jubinville wonders where the Asian giant will get the canola it needs to fuel its vast crush sector. | File photo

Where will China buy canola?

SASKATOON — China’s canola crushers could face significant hardships if the country slaps tariffs on Canadian exports, say analysts. MarketsFarm analyst Mike Jubinville wonders where the Asian giant will get the canola it needs to fuel its vast crush sector. Related stories: Australia is the world’s second largest exporter of the commodity behind Canada. However, […] Read more

Analyst confident canola can weather anti-dumping storm

Analyst confident canola can weather anti-dumping storm

SASKATOON — Canada is well equipped to handle the latest canola dispute with China, says an analyst. For one thing, the industry has become far less export dependent the last couple of years, said Chuck Penner, analyst with LeftField Commodity Research. Related stories: He is forecasting that crushers will process 11 to 12 million tonnes […] Read more


Russia has become a huge pea competitor to Canada. Farmers in that country produced about 4.7 million tonnes of the crop last year, compared to 2.6 million tonnes in Canada. | File photo

Major pulse competitor may face trouble with pea crop

While dry conditions worry Russia's pea growers, the country prepares to become a major threat in global lentil markets

SASKATOON — There are some early-season problems with Russia’s yellow pea crop, according to analysts. “Because of frost and low precipitation in southern regions, conditions are far from brilliant,” Sergey Pluzhnikov, chief executive officer of Russian Pulses Analytics, said in a text message. Related stories: There are also problems in Siberia. Chickpeas and lentils have […] Read more

Exporters can now load yellow peas until October 31, 2024, instead of June 30, 2024, which means some of Canada’s new crop peas can now move to that market duty-free. | File photo

India extends pea duty exemption to end of October

Analysts uncertain as to whether the move was announced early enough to affect Canadian producers' seeding plans

SASKATOON — India has extended the elimination of its import duty on yellow peas through the end of October. Exporters can now load yellow peas until Oct. 31 instead of June 30, which means some of Canada’s new crop peas can now move to that market duty-free. Related stories: AgPulse Analytica analyst Gaurav Jain said […] Read more