Higher Average Market Values in 2007-08

VANCOUVER - Sep 21/07 - SNS -- Grower returns from specialty crops will be higher than initially expected in 2007-08, said Agriculture Canada's Stan Skrypetz in his latest review of the sector.

"Average prices, over all types, grades and markets, are forecast to increase from 2006-07, for dry peas, lentils, dry beans, mustard seed, canary seed, sunflower seed and buckwheat, but decrease for chickpeas.

"The main factor to watch is weather, especially precipitation, during the remainder of the harvest period. Other factors to watch are crop conditions in other major producing regions, especially the US, Australia, India and Mexico, currency exchange rates and ocean shipping costs," he added.

For 2007-08, total Canadian production of pulse and special crops is estimated to increase by 14%, from 2006-07, to 4.64 million metric tons (MT), based on Statistics Canada's (STC) July 31 production estimates. Yield estimates are lower than trend for dry peas and dry beans, but higher for lentils, chickpeas, mustard seed, canary seed and sunflower seed. Compared to 2006-07, yield estimates are lower for dry peas, dry beans, chickpeas and sunflower seed, but higher for lentils, mustard seed and canary seed.

Crop abandonment is estimated to be lower than normal. Harvest progress is behind 2006-07, but ahead of normal, with the dry pea and lentil harvests approaching completion, and most of the chickpeas and mustard seed have been harvested. Harvest is also underway for dry beans and canary seed. The buckwheat and sunflower seed harvests are expected to start in late September.

Quality is expected to be normal, assuming normal weather conditions during the remainder of the harvest period. The risk of frost damage is generally low for unharvested fields due to the advanced stage of development.

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