Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm — Canadian pea and lentil exports slowed down in December compared to the previous month, although year-to-date movement remains solid as India remains in the market for the time being.
Canada exported 171,007 tonnes of peas in December, which was down 15 per cent from the previous month, according to Statistics Canada trade data. However, year-to-date pea exports of 1.438 million tonnes were running about 200,000 tonnes ahead of the year-ago pace.
India was the top buyer through five months, accounting for nearly half of the total pea exports at 694,391 tonnes. China, Bangladesh and the United States were also large export destinations for Canadian peas.
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Canadian pea sales to India have picked up considerably over the past year after India lifted import tariffs on yellow peas in December 2023. The duty-free period has been extended several times over the past year but is set to expire once again on Feb. 28. The last extension at the end of December was made just a week ahead of expiry, although market participants are uncertain what will happen this month.
A similar Indian policy on duty-free imports of pigeon peas, a type of yellow lentil also called tur in India, was recently extended for another year to March 31, 2026. Canada does not grow pigeon peas, but yellow peas can be used as substitute.
The duty-free pea movement has cut into domestic prices in India. While that benefits consumers, farmers in the country have expressed concern and have called on the government to raise duties once again.
Canadian lentil exports were down five per cent in December compared to November, with about 253,000 tonnes moved out of the country. Crop-year-to-date exports of 1.083 million tonnes were up 27 per cent.
India was also the largest buyer of lentils so far this marketing year, accounting for 38 per cent of the total.
Canada exported about 20,000 tonnes of chickpeas in December, which was in line with the 20,400 tonnes moved the previous month. Year-to-date chickpea exports at 73,236 tonnes are running 26 per cent behind the 2023-24 pace.
Turkey and Pakistan are the top destinations for Canadian chickpeas in 2024-25, each importing around 12,600 tonnes during the first five months of the marketing year. The U.S., Italy and India round out the top five export destinations.
