Chickpea prices are strong this week once again, even with an estimated increase in US acres from the latest USDA report. Yields, however, are estimated to be 5% below the 5-year average. Canadian chickpea yields are expected to be 10% below the 5-year average, along with seed size being a concern. Overall this puts the 2017 Canadian chickpea crop at 120,000MT compared to 135,000MT in 2016. There will be less US demand and a heavier portion of supply going overseas. The gain in prices over the last few weeks are mainly seen in large calibre, which could mean the dry conditions are producing smaller sized chickpeas. If acreage in Mexico and India respond to these high chickpea prices, then we could see bids soften in the second half of 2017/18. We are seeing the market hover around 63c/lb this week for #2 quality.

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