Source: Agriculture and Agrifood Canada

SUMMARY

For 2005-06, total Canadian exports, domestic use and carry-out stocks of pulse and special crops are forecast to increase due to higher supply. Average prices, over all types, grades and markets are forecast to increase for chickpeas and buckwheat, but decrease for dry peas, lentils, dry beans, mustard seed, canary seed and sunflower seed.

For 2006-07, total area seeded to pulse and special crops in Canada is forecast to decrease by 3%, from 2005-06, as increases for dry peas, chickpeas, sunflower seed and buckwheat are more than offset by decreases for lentils, dry beans, mustard seed and canary seed. It is assumed that precipitation will be normal for the growing and harvest periods, and that the abandonment rate and quality will be normal. Trend yields are assumed for both western and eastern Canada, as soil moisture reserves are generally good. Total production in Canada is forecast to decrease by 10%, from 2005-06, to 4.79 million tonnes (Mt). Total supply is expected to decrease by 6% to 6.36 Mt, as higher carry-in stocks offset most of the decrease in production. Exports are forecast to decrease due to lower supply, while domestic use is forecast to be relatively stable. Carry-out stocks are expected to decrease. Average prices, over all types, grades and markets, are forecast to increase for dry peas, mustard seed and canary seed, decrease for dry beans and chickpeas, and be the same for lentils, sunflower seed and buckwheat. The main factors to watch are weather conditions, especially precipitation, during the growing and harvest periods in Canada. Other factors to watch are the exchange rates of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar and other currencies, ocean shipping rates and growing conditions in major producing regions, especially India, Mexico, United States, European Union, Turkey and Australia.

Full report in PDF format: http://www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2006/pdf/15313.pdf