Ag Canada Holds to Chickpea Forecast

VANCOUVER - Jun 2/06 - SNS -- In its latest monthly review of Canadian chickpeas Agriculture Canada's market analysis branch in Winnipeg predicted production in Canada in 2006 will rise from 104,000 metric tons (MT) to 130,000, unchanged from last month's prediction.

Seeded area is forecast to increase 51% to 294,000 acres, unchanged from last month's forecast; while harvested area is forecast at 272,000 acres.

Agriculture Canada expects this season's exports to finish around 70,000 MT, unchanged from last month's forecast. It predicts exports in 2006-07 will total 90,000 MT, up 5,000 MT from last month.

This season's domestic use is estimated at 34,000 MT; while usage in 2006-07 is forecast at 35,000 MT.

Season ending stocks are forecast at 10,000 MT, unchanged from last month; while stocks are expected to total 20,000 MT by the end of the 2006-07 marketing year, down 5,000 from last month's forecast.

Agriculture Canada forecast average grower bids will range between from between CDN $465 and $495 MT this season, compared to a forecast range between CDN $470 and $500 last month. For the coming 2006-07 marketing year, it expects prices to range between $395 and $425 MT, unchanged from last month's prediction.

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