Pulse Weekly: Looking at price shifts in 2024

Production up for most Canadian pulses

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Published: December 17, 2024

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Demand for organic pulses had been steadily rising before the COVID-19 outbreak, but supply chains are prepared to meet the new demand. Photo: File

Glacier Farm Media | MarketsFarm – Pulses in Canada had quite the year in 2024 with prices closing out the calendar year in the middle of their trading ranges.

Production was higher on the year for most pulses. Dry pea output in Canada rose to just short of three million tonnes, up from the 2.61 million harvested in 2023, according to the Statistics Canada principal field crop report issued Dec. 5. Also, more lentils were grown, with the 2024 harvest at 2.43 million tonnes up from 1.80 million the year before. At 424,141 tonnes, dry beans were more plentiful compared to the 339,315 gleaned in 2023. Chickpeas rose to 286,768 tonnes from 159,100.

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Laird lentil prices across Western Canada, depending on size, ranged from lows of 29 to 46.5 cents per pound to highs of 73.5 to 82 cents, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Currently, the Lairds are 39 to 63 cents/lb. delivered as of Dec. 16, steady to up two cents on the week.

The lows for Estons bottomed out at 26.5 to 39.5 cents/lb. to highs of 61.5 to 78 cents. They’re presently at 37.5 to 53 cents/lb. delivered, up one cent.

Richleas experienced lows of 23 to 39.5 cents/lb., to topping off at 64.5 to 80 cents. Prairie Ag Hotwire reported Richleas are at 34 to 55 cents/lb. delivered, steady to up a penny this week.

The year’s prices for Crimson lentils extended from lows of 19 to 27 cent/lb. to highs of 31 to 40 cents. For the week of ending Dec. 16, they were mixed as they ranged from declines of a half cent to gains of 0.3 of a cent. That placed them at 23.5 to 33.8 cents per/lb. delivered.

Over the course of 2024, French green lentils dropped back to 40.5 cents/lb. to reaching highs of 60 cents. Presently they’re up 11 cents at 55.5 to 58 cents/lb. delivered.

As for Kabuli chickpeas, they experienced price shifts from 21.8 cents/lb. to 57.8 cents, depending on the size. Prairie Ag Hotwire placed them for this week as steady from 25.8 to 42 cents/lb. delivered.

Green peas swung from C$12 to C$20 per bushel in 2024, with them up 50 cents on the week at C$15.75 to C$17/bu. delivered.

A threat of tariffs continued to loom from United States President-elect Donald Trump. Last month, he threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian exports to the U.S., effective Jan. 20, the day he’s sworn in.

Meanwhile, the Indian government set aside their tariffs which proved to be a boon for Canadian exports. However, it’s unknown at this time if India will extend their levy-free period or end it as of Dec. 31.

About the author

Glen Hallick

Glen Hallick

Reporter

Glen Hallick grew up in rural Manitoba near Starbuck, where his family farmed. Glen has a degree in political studies from the University of Manitoba and studied creative communications at Red River College. Before joining Glacier FarmMedia, Glen was an award-winning reporter and editor with several community newspapers and group editor for the Interlake Publishing Group. Glen is an avid history buff and enjoys following politics.

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