STAT Communications Ag Market News

Record U.S. Chickpea Area

VANCOUVER - Aug 11/12 - SNS -- Chickpea seedings in the United States reached a record 196,600 acres, according to the USDA's August crop report. The previous high was 148,700 acres set in 2001, a time when North American interest in the crop peaked.

Area is up from 132,900 acres last year. Farmers were clearly responding to the fact markets reached record levels in 2011-12. hoping to see a similar miracle in the coming season.

Most of the increase was in large caliber kabuli chickpeas, with area rising from 96,000 to 134,700 acres. Land in small caliber and desi type chickpeas jumped from 36,900 to 62,200 acres. The USDA defines large caliber chickpeas as those larger than 20/64 inches and small caliber as those falling through a 20/64 round hole screen.

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