A field of lentils.

Turkey’s lentil crop set for recovery

Recent rain could result in a 10 to 15 per cent larger crop than the 405,000 tonnes the country’s farmers harvested last year

Turkey’s lentil crop appears to have avoided much drought damage so far this year. Almost the entire crop is grown in the southeastern part of the country, where it was dry in October, November and December. Rain finally came in February, helping to reverse the fortunes of the crop.



GrainFox chief analyst Neil Townsend anticipates most of Canada’s new crop durum will be sold in the high-$7 to mid-$8 per bushel range. | File photo

Dry conditions hurt durum outlook

Southeast Saskatchewan is sole bright spot in durum growing areas SASKATOON — The latest U.S. durum production estimate could be a harbinger of what’s to come in Canada, says an analyst. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now forecasting 2.09 million tonnes of U.S. production, down 14 percent from its July estimate. GrainFox chief analyst […] Read more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is forecasting that Turkey will produce 4.4 million tonnes of durum this year, a 10 percent increase over last year. | File photo

Turkey, Russia to remain strong players in durum market

SASKATOON — A country that emerged as a surprise competitor to Canadian durum growers last year will likely be at it again in 2024-25. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is forecasting that Turkey will produce 4.4 million tonnes of the crop, a 10 percent increase over last year. Related stories: Adequate […] Read more


Turkey has announced it is dropping its 19.3 percent import duty on green lentils through June 30 and is also prohibiting export of the commodity. "Right now, I don't think it means much," said David Nyznyk, a broker with Agri-Food Central Ltd. in Winnipeg. | File photo

Turkey drops lentil duty; market unlikely to react

SASKATOON — A major importer of Canadian lentils has temporarily dropped its duty on the crop, but that probably won’t have a big impact on already sky-high Canadian prices, say industry officials. Turkey has announced it is dropping its 19.3 percent import duty on green lentils through June 30 and is also prohibiting export of […] Read more

European demand for Canadian durum is expected to pick up at the end of 2023 and in the first part of 2024 once Turkish exports start to slow.  |  File photo

Big Turkish crop shocks durum market

A bumper crop unexpectedly puts Turkey in a position to grab most of Canada’s share of the market in the European Union

The durum market has taken a “wild” turn as Turkey has suddenly emerged as a major force in the export market. “This is something that caught everybody off guard, especially Canadian exporters,” said Jonathan Meyer, merchandiser with Purely Canada Foods. “It has really saved the day for pasta producers because if it wasn’t for Turkey, […] Read more

Annachiara Saguatti, senior market analyst with Italian agrifood intelligence company Areté, said Turkey is poised to usurp much of Canada’s durum wheat market share in the European Union in 2023-24. | File photo

Big Turkish crop shocks durum market

A bumper crop unexpectedly puts Turkey in a position to grab most of Canada's share of the market in the European Union

The durum market has taken a “wild” turn as Turkey has suddenly emerged as a major force in the export market. “This is something that caught everybody off guard, especially Canadian exporters,” said Jonathan Meyer, merchandiser with Purely Canada Foods. “It has really saved the day for pasta producers because if it wasn’t for Turkey, […] Read more



Chickpeas in a sack.

Turkey and Russia drive chickpea price

Turkish crop looks promising despite a rough start, while there is little market intelligence on Russian chickpeas

Colin Young, manager of Midwest Investments, a chickpea cleaner in Moose Jaw, Sask., said those are Canada’s two top competitors and global kabuli chickpea supplies are tight.