Slippage in Aussie Pulse Forecast

VANCOUVER - Jun 18/07 - SNS -- This year's rebound in pulse production levels may not be as large as initially expected, believes the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE).

In its latest crop forecast, the government statistical agency predicted total pulse output would climb from 709,830 metric tons (MT) last year 2.043 million MT this year, down about 210,000 MT from Pulse Australia's May 11 prediction.

Though down, the number is likely to remain controversial with exporters in Canada, where attention remains focused on those areas where the drought has not broken.

For its part, ABARE says, "The majority of cropping areas in southern Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria received average to above average rainfall in late April – early May, providing an excellent start to the 2007-08 winter cropping season.

"Rainfall in Queensland in early June has improved prospects for central and south east Queensland. However, the lack of subsoil moisture in most areas means that followup rainfall will be critical. Continued dry conditions throughout parts of the central and northern cropping zone of Western Australia mean that winter crop prospects for that state are below average at this stage."

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