Chickpeas Finish Steady

VANCOUVER - Oct 13/06 - SNS -- Chickpeas markets finished the week little changed against steady export demand and no rush to market by North American growers and processors.

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 150,000, down 13,000 from last month's prediction.

Seeded area is forecast to increase 82% to 356,000 acres, unchanged from last month's forecast; while harvested area is forecast at 351,000, unchanged on the month.

Agriculture Canada expects this season's exports to total 100,000 MT, unchanged from last month. This season's domestic use is forecast at 45,000 MT, down 3,000 from last month.

Season ending stocks are forecast at 20,000 MT by the end of the 2006-07 marketing year, down 10,000 from last month's forecast.

Agriculture Canada estimates grower bids to range between $460 and $490 MT across all classes and sizes of chickpeas, compared to last month's prediction between $425 and $455.

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