Canadian Quality Concerns can be Solved

REGINA - May 22/01 - STAT -- Most quality concerns raised by importers can be solved through closer dialog between exporters and importers, concludes a pulse trade mission which visited Turkey, Pakistan and India in January.

Larry Gramiak, a soils and crops agrologist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food in Saskatoon, found chickpea buyers in Pakistan and India were concerned about the color of Canadian origin desi chickpeas and their moisture content.

"They consider a moisture content of 11% to 12% ideal; a moisture content higher than 13% causes the seed to crush rather than split," Gramiak said.

Canadian origin product is usually higher than 13% moisture because of "environmental conditions at harvest and, second, the fact that a moisture content of 12% results in increased cracking at harvest and during processing. I'm not sure we can lower it to their preferred level.

"We had an interesting and valuable discussion about this concern, which resulted in a raised awareness and understanding on both sides," says Gramiak.

Other issues raised by importers in Pakistan were the "greens" in desi chickpea, and the broad grade specifications for pulses, which can have a negative impact on price. Indian importers voiced their concerns about foreign material in pulses, and the color of Canadian desi chickpeas (the golden color of Australian desi chickpeas commands a premium.)

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