Glacier FarmMedia – Saskatchewan pulse farmers still have optimism despite geopolitical obstacles as they approach spring plantings.
Carl Potts, executive director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, said farmers are looking forward to seeding despite lower crop prices and higher input costs, despite the war in Iran affecting fuel and fertilizer shipments.
“There is a mix of seasonal optimism as we head into spring, as well as some concern over the impacts of the broader geopolitical impacts that have been going on,” Potts said.
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Most lentil varieties lost 22 to 34 cents per pound since last year, Prairie Ag Hotwire reported. Chickpeas declined four to 12 cents per pound, green peas fell $5.75/bu. and yellow peas dipped $1.34/bu. He said lower prices have kept demand strong, with China re-entering the market for Canadian peas and India remaining one of Canada’s top buyers.
“(Lower prices) really have to (keep demand strong) because we produced a large crop last year in red and especially in green lentils. I think demand is quite good and quite strong but we have a significant inventory, particularly in lentils, that the market will have to move to,” Potts said.
Last month, Statistics Canada projected a 6.3 per cent increase in chickpea acres nationwide for 2026-27 compared to last, as well as a 5.5 per cent decline in lentil acres and a 12.3 per cent drop in pea acres.
Pulses’ appeal grows with fertilizer costs
However, the data was collected before China suspended its tariffs on Canadian peas. Along with the war in Iran, growing pulses is now more appealing due to their lower fertilizer needs. Potts said small shifts in acres could be possible this spring.
“Most farmers would have fertilizer and fuel supplies relatively secured, but in cases where people didn’t have all their nitrogen fertilizer booked and they’re concerned about price or availability, then moving to something like peas or lentils or chickpeas … could be a factor,” he said, adding that farmers will largely stick to their crop rotations.
Potts added that SaskPulse will continue to work on field-based, in-season initiatives such as showcasing and testing their in-house research projects. The organization will also host a series of field days in July.
