Chickpeas Markets Bounce Back

VANCOUVER - Apr 7/06 - SNS -- International chickpea markets continued to lift off their recent lows, with Mexican exporters focusing on moving large caliber product before any new crop beans are available from California and later from Canada.

Tightening supplies in India and concerns over the quality of chickpeas being shipped from that origin and reports of some crop loss in California gave exporters in Mexico the room they needed to lift asking prices during the week.

News of a steep reduction in the size of Pakistan's desi chickpea harvest also added to the positive tone on international markets because that reduces competition for available demand in India and could force Pakistan to import desi and small caliber kabuli chickpeas this year.

That is a positive development for markets which are extremely worried about the potential size of Canada's chickpea crop. It is dangerous to count that country's harvest before it is complete, but the prospective size of the crop and seeded area will be used against sellers until the outcome is certain.

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