Mixed Special Crop Stocks Picture

VANCOUVER - May 3/13 - SNS -- The quantity of pulses being consumed by Canada's livestock feed industry is smaller than appeared to be the case, but improved export movement since the start of the calendar year has pulled stocks in all positions down from year earlier levels.

Statistics Canada's reports there were 2.109 million metric tons (MT) of pulses and specialty crops on hand as of March 31, including 1.593 million MT on farms and 516,000 MT in commercial hands. On farm stocks are down almost 600,000 MT, while commercial inventories are up 189,000 for a net drop of 394,000 MT.

Chickpea and sunflower seed stocks are up over last year; while lentil, pea, canary and mustard seed inventories are down. The biggest tonnage changes are in lentils and peas, with lentil inventories down 247,000 MT and field pea stocks 213,000 MT lower than last year.

Statistics Canada based its estimated on a survey of 13,805 farmers between March 25 and April 3, 2013. Data on peas partly originate from the Canadian Grain Commission. Data on commercial stocks of special crops originate from a survey of handlers and agents of special crops.