U.S. Lentil Area Should Rise
WASHINGTON - Feb 27/09 - SNS -- There is a good chance lentil area will increase in the United States this year, while there might be little change in field pea seedings, argues Gary Lucier of the USDA's Economic Research Service in the February 25 edition of the USDA's Vegetables and Melons Outlook.
"Dry pea and lentil prices are currently running below those of a year earlier after beginning the crop year at very strong levels. Since July, grower prices for all dry peas (food and feed use) have dropped 24% (feed grade prices have dropped the most), while lentil prices are down 10%. Early February grower bids for top food-grade whole green peas were running 27% below their July highs, while whole yellow peas were down 39%.
"Despite this decline, prices remain well above the average of the 3 previous years, with whole green peas and Brewer lentils currently more than double their 2004-06 February average," Lucier said.
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