Australian Pulse Forecast Tweaked

VANCOUVER - Jul 31/07 - SNS -- In its latest 2007-08 production forecast, Pulse Australia increased the expected size of this year's desi chickpea harvest; while reducing production estimates for lupins and fababeans; and leaving forecasts for field peas, lentils, kabuli chickpeas, broadbeans little changed.

The biggest revision was for lupins, with angustifolius or narrow leafed lupin output slashed from an initial forecast of 536,800 metric tons (MT) to 456,800. Sweet albus lupin production estimates slipped 200 MT at 45,300. The next largest downward revision was for fababeans, with output now forecast at 222,200 MT, down from the previous estimate of 239,200 MT. Estimated desi chickpea output was boosted from 391,500 to 421,900 MT.

Discussing its latest production forecast, Pulse Australia said, "The production potential for pulses varies enormously across Australia. In eastern Australia, generally, optimism is high for above average yields after the recent years of very poor seasons. In Western Australia, there is a mood of pessimism for a very poor harvest in most of the state, with the exception of the south coast and south east districts.

"Winter pulse planting is now complete in central NSW, southern NSW, and Victoria, thanks to a season that started in late April, something not seen since 2001. This has allowed the full range of winter pulses including lupins and fababeans to be sown on time. The sown areas has been maximized except in the south where seed availability from last season's poor harvest has limited some planting opportunities."

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