Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada

For 2004-05, total Canadian pulse and special crops production increased by 42%, from 2003-04, to 5.23 million tonnes (Mt), based on Statistics Canada’s (STC) November production estimates. Total pulse and special crops supply increased by only 33% to 5.81 Mt, because of lower carry-in stocks. Although exports and domestic use are forecast to increase due to the higher supply, strong demand and lower prices for most crops, carry-out stocks are also expected to increase. Average prices, over all grades and markets, are forecast to increase from 2003-04 for dry beans, chickpeas and sunflower seed, decrease for dry peas, lentils, mustard seed and canary seed, and be the same for buckwheat.

Harvesting of pulse and special crops was much later than normal, but is, in general, complete. Average yields  ranged from lower than trend to higher than trend, depending on the crop, but abandonment was generally higher than normal. Yields were much lower than trend and abandonment much higher than normal for dry beans and buckwheat in Manitoba and sunflower seed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, due to late seeding, below normal temperatures and damage from excessive rainfall, frost and disease. Average quality is, in general, lower than normal due to damage from frost and wet weather. The main factors to watch are exchange rates, ocean shipping rates, and crop and harvest conditions in other major producing countries, especially Australia, India and Pakistan.

DRY PEAS

For 2004-05, production and supply increased, due to a 7% increase in seeded area and higher yields. Production
increased for yellow, green and other types. The average quality is significantly lower than in 2003-04. World supply increased by 18% to 12.6 Mt, mainly because of higher production in Canada, EU and US, but this is expected to be mostly offset by increased use in both the feed and food markets. Canadian exports and domestic use are forecast to increase due to the higher supply and lower prices. For exports, most of the increase is expected to be to the EU and Asia. For domestic use, most of the increase is expected for feeding hogs. Carry-out stocks are forecast to increase with a stocks-to-use (s/u) ratio of 24%. The average price, over all types, grades and markets, is forecast to decrease due to the higher supply.

LENTILS

Production and supply increased, due to a 41% increase in seeded area and higher yields. Production increased for large, medium and small green, red and other types. The average quality is significantly lower than in 2003-04. World supply increased by 23% to 3.89 Mt, due mainly to higher production in Canada. Canadian exports are expected to increase, as Canada's share of world supply increases and prices decrease. Carry-out stocks are forecast to increase, with a s/u of 19%. The average price, over all types and grades, is forecast to decrease due to the higher supply and lower average quality.

DRY BEANS

Production and supply decreased sharply, due mainly to crop damage in Manitoba, the main producing province. Production and supply decreased for white pea, pinto, black, light red kidney, Great Northern, small red and pink beans, but was similar to 2003-04 for dark red kidney and cranberry beans. US production decreased by 22% to
780,000 t, due to a lower harvested area and lower yields. Total US and Canadian supply of nearly all major classes of dry beans decreased. Canadian exports are forecast to fall sharply, due to the lower supply, and carry-out stocks are expected to decrease to a low level. The average price, over all classes and grades, is forecast to
rise sharply due to the lower supply.

CHICKPEAS

Production and supply fell, due to a 26% decrease in seeded area and higher abandonment. Production increased marginally for the large and small kabuli types, but decreased for the desi type. However, supply decreased for all types due to lower carry-in stocks. The average quality is significantly lower than in 2003-04. World supply decreased by 4% to 8.4 Mt. Canadian exports are forecast to decrease due to lower supply. Carry-out stocks are forecast to decrease to a low level. The average price, over all types, sizes and grades, is forecast to increase due to the lower supply.

MUSTARD SEED

Production and supply increased as a 7% decrease in seeded area was more than offset by higher yields. Production increased for all types, yellow, brown and oriental. The average quality is significantly lower than in 2003-04 and a significant portion of the carry-in stocks were low quality seed. In the US, production of the yellow type decreased. Canadian exports are expected to increase because of stronger demand and lower prices. Carry-out stocks are forecast to increase, with a s/u ratio of 64%. The average price, over all types and grades, is forecast to decrease due to the higher supply.

CANARY SEED

Production and supply increased, due to a 42% increase in seeded area, higher yields and higher carry-in stocks. World supply increased by 47% to 410,000 t. Canadian exports are expected to increase because of higher supply and lower prices. Carry-out stocks are forecast to increase, with a stocks-to-use ratio of 62%. The average
price is forecast to decrease because of the higher supply.

SUNFLOWER SEED

Production and supply fell sharply, due to a 27% decrease in seeded area, higher abandonment and lower yields. Production decreased for both types, confectionary and oilseed. The average quality is significantly lower than in 2003-04. In the US, harvested area, production and supply decreased for both types. World supply decreased by 4% to 26.7 Mt. Canadian exports and domestic use are forecast to decrease sharply due to the lower supply. The average price, over both types and all grades, is forecast to increase due to the lower supply.

BUCKWHEAT

Production fell sharply due to a slight decrease in seeded area, higher abandonment and lower yields. World
supply increased by 10% to 2.95 Mt. Canadian exports and domestic use are forecast to decrease due to the lower supply, while carry-out stocks decrease to a negligible level. The average price, over all grades and markets, is forecast to be the same as in 2003-04, as pressure from higher world supply is offset by lower Canadian supply.

Complete report with tables, in PDF format: http://www.agr.gc.ca/mad-dam/e/sd2e/2005e/jan2005sc_e.pdf