Lower Average Chickpea Bids Foreseen

VANCOUVER - Aug 10/07 - SNS -- In its latest monthly review of Canadian chickpeas Agriculture Canada's market analysis branch in Winnipeg predicted production in Canada in 2007 will rise from last year's 163,000 metric tons (MT) to 185,000, down 15,000 from last month.

Seeded area increased 35% to 430,000 acres this year, unchanged from last month; while harvested area is forecast at 400,000, unchanged from last month.

Agriculture Canada expects this season's exports to total 130,000 MT, unchanged from last month; while next season's export are forecast at 140,000 MT, down 5,000 from the last report. This season's domestic use is forecast at 43,000 MT, unchanged from last month; while domestic use in 2007-08 is forecast at 45,000 MT, unchanged on the month.

Season ending stocks are forecast at 5,000 MT by the end of the 2006-07 marketing year, unchanged from last month's forecast. Ending stocks are expected to total 10,000 MT at the end of the 2007-08 marketing year, down 10,000 MT from last month's forecast.

Agriculture Canada estimates grower bids averaged $550 MT across all classes and sizes of chickpeas in 2006-07, compared to last month's prediction between $540 and $560. For 2007-08, grower bids are expected to range between $480 and $510, versus last month's forecast range between $475 and $505.

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