Overall Jump in Pulse Area Forecast

VANCOUVER - Mar 12/10 - SNS -- Agriculture Canada is looking for an overall increase in pulse and specialty crop seeded area in Canada in 2010, with a forecast jump in lentil area more than offsetting expected decline sin field peas.

"For 2010-11, total area seeded . . . is forecast to increase by 8% from 2009-10. The areas seeded to lentils, chickpeas, canary seed, sunflower and dry beans are expected to increase," Agriculture Canada's market analysis branch in Winnipeg said. "The areas seeded to dry peas and mustard seed are expected to decline.

"Average yields are generally assumed to decrease to a trend level for both western and eastern Canada. Total production in Canada is forecast to decrease slightly to 5.5 million metric tons (MT) but supply is expected to increase slightly to 6.6 million MT due to high carry-in stocks. Exports and domestic use are forecast to rise slightly due to the higher supply.

"Average prices are generally forecast to fall, except for chickpeas which remain unchanged. The main factors to watch are: commodity prices, input costs, the Canada-US dollar exchange rate and planting progress in major producing regions, especially the Indian subcontinent, United States, European Union, Australia and the Middle East."