MarketsFarm — As the calendar changed to 2022, there was not much movement on pulse markets — but they weren’t entirely static, according to a Saskatchewan-based broker.
“Yellow and green peas have been moving (lately), but as far as lentils and others, no,” said Dale McManus, broker for Johnston’s Grain at Welwyn, Sask.
He attributed the movement in peas to growing demand for plant protein powder. Yellow peas are used for human consumption, while green peas go for feed, McManus added.
“(Other pulses) may start moving a little bit better now that we’re into the New Year,” he said.
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McManus also mentioned container backups at transloaders in the Port of Vancouver won’t be cleared for a while. “That’s pushing movement until probably March or April.”
One crop McManus believes will see greater price movement early in the New Year is lentils.
According to Prairie Ag Hotwire data, most lentil varieties have traded from steady to five cents per pound higher than the previous month. French lentils are trading as high as 80 cents/lb., Lairds at 66 cents/lb. and Estons and Richleas at 64 cents/lb. Crimsons are only trading as high as 55 cents/lb.
“(Lentil) stocks aren’t as high as what people think they are,” he said. “A lot of western Saskatchewan was under drought conditions. That’s holding the price up as we would expect it.”
As for other pulses, he doesn’t anticipate much price movement in the coming weeks.
“I think a lot of (prices) will stay steady.”
— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
