Pea, Lentil Area Expected to Increase

VANCOUVER - Jun 14/08 - SNS -- Statistics Canada will release its initial seeded area estimate on June 24, and markets looking for an increase in lentil and field pea area from the April 21 report on Canadian seeding intentions.

Two events are behind ideas seeded area in pulses is bigger than initially expected. The Canadian Wheat Board dampened grower expectations about durum and spring wheat income prospects for 2008-09 immediately after the seeding intentions estimates were released.

Coincidentally, fears of crop production problems stemming from drought in Turkey and parts of the Middle East brought buyers back to North American markets looking for pulses to cover needs during the summer and this year's Ramadan observances, which span September 9 through October 1.

The net result was a surge in values for red and green lentils, along with broad strength in field peas and dry edible beans shortly after the Canadian seeding intentions report was released and while growers still had a chance to adjust seeding plans on some of their land.

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