E-Delivery

P U L S E C R O P N E W S F A L L 2 0 1 7 | 31 have taken off in the U.S., and the Black Sea region is becoming a larger compe tor, especially for peas and small chickpeas. For example, one recent development is a bump in len l produc on in Kazakhstan. All of these produc on gains are mi ga ng the impact of yield losses in Canada. The demand side of global pulse markets also plays a role in the market response (or lack thereof). Some overseas buyers tell us they're si ng on comfortable supplies of some pulse crops. This year, that seems to be the case for red len ls and both yellow and green peas, while green len l and chickpea inventories are a li le scarcer. Those aren't unusual comments from buyers who are hoping to "talk down" the market, but weaker prices in those markets reflect the reality of supplies. For example, red len l prices in India remain on the defensive because of large domes c and imported inventories. These various factors are keeping a lid on new-crop bids for some pulses like peas and red len ls even though the 2017 crops will be smaller. That's not to say there can't be strength later in 2017/18 but that would depend on other fresh developments, especially on the demand side of the market. Other crops like green len ls and kabuli chickpeas are seeing be er price support and providing good selling opportuni es. And on the flipside, just because bids for some crops are s ll historically high right now, it doesn't guarantee strong prices all year long either, as produc on in other countries may respond in the coming months. APG Past Chair Allison Ammeter snapped this shot of AAC Lacombe peas being harvested on her family's farm near Sylvan Lake in early September.

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