Are peas poised for a rebound? Agriculture Canada is estimating a sharp decline in pea production for 2011. In its latest supply estimates, the federal agriculture department projected Canadian production at roughly 2 million tonnes, down 33 percent from the three million tonnes harvested in the fall of 2010. Will pea acreage rebound in 2012 or will the recovery require more time? By Darlene Polachic Freelance writer
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Pea outlook
ield pea production isn’t likely to make a signifiCanadian supply and disposition cant comeback in Saskatchewan unless market sig 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12* nals entice more producers back into the market. Seeded area (’000 acres) 3,994 3,759 3,448 2,300 Tom Warkentin, a pulse breeder at the University Harvested area (’000 acres) 3,908 3,673 3,265 2,208 of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre in Saskatoon, Yield (tonnes/acre) 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.91 Production (’000 tonnes) 3,571 3,379 3,018 2,009 thinks that could happen in the next few years. Imports (’000 tonnes) 15 55 33 40 “Crop quality was good last year, so were grades, and beSupply (’000 tonnes) 3,841 3,880 3,951 2,584 Exports (’000 tonnes) 2,826 2,178 3,012 2,100 cause the oversupply has been cleared out, the market price Domestic use (’000 tonnes) 571 802 404 284 for peas is up, as well,” he said. Carry out stocks (’000 tonnes) 445 900 535 200 “In October of 2011, yellow and green peas were selling for Stocks to use ratio (%) 13 30 16 8 Average price ($/tonne) 250 185 250 280-310 around $9 a bushel. Given that, I think there is optimism for * Agriculture Canada forecast as of Oct. 18, 2011 field peas in 2012.” According to Warkentin, enthusiasm over field pea proSource: Agriculture Canada & Statistics Canada WP graphic duction had ebbed in recent years, due mostly to low market prices. been having the last couple of years. They generally aren’t as “Field pea production is governed by the cycle of supply and big an issue in Saskatchewan as they are in Manitoba. Aphids demand,” he said. are an even bigger problem for lentils.” “A couple of good crop years can mean an excess in supply Another prevalent production risk is ascochyta blight, a such as we saw in 2009 and 2010. That depresses the price. fungal condition that causes lesions on the leaves, stems and With yellow and green peas selling for only $5 to $6, wheat and tendrils, ultimately compromising the quality of the pea seeds. canola were looking a lot more attractive to producers going Warkentin said the 2011 field pea crop turned out to be better into the 2011 crop year.” than expected. Field peas have been grown on the Prairies for a long time, “There was an excess of moisture early in season, so the with the first fields popping up shortly after commercial farmpossibility was there for significant disease problems but that ing began. really didn’t happen,” he said. In the past 30 years or so, they have become one of the prov“We had good hot weather during July and August — crops ince’s most important crops. stood up well and were combined easily.” According to global production statistics, about 12 million The majority of Saskatchewan’s field peas are sold to Asia. metric tonnes of field peas are grown globally each year, with “Our largest customers by far are India, Bangladesh and PakiCanada the world’s largest producer. stan where our peas are used for food,” said Warkentin. About 75 percent of Canada’s production is based in Saskatch“The peas are dehulled and split and used in traditional curewan. ries and dals. According to Terry Bedard, statistician with Saskatchewan China is the next biggest importer. Agriculture’s policy branch, provincial field pea acreage in Chinese consumers prefer yellow peas, which are processed 2010 was more than 1.85 milion acres. for their starch, purified and used to make vermicelli noodles. In 2011, provincial acreage dropped to about 1.55 million “Ten years ago, China used mung beans to make the noodles, acres, about 1.5 million of which were harvested. but now they prefer yellow peas — mainly from Canada — beBedard says the average yield in 2011 was 31.7 bushels or cause they’re cheaper,” Warkentin said. about 1,900 pounds per acre. In the last five years, Canada has sold 300,000 to 500,000 Average yields are about 1,600 pounds per acre, although tonnes of field peas each year to China. yields as high as 3,500 pounds per acre have been recorded. Warkentin said peas are only used in animal feed if there are Pests and disease are always a hazard in field pea production. excess supplies. Aphids are the most common problem, said Scott Hartley, “Peas work well in hog and poultry rations because they are provincial specialist in insect management. an excellent source of protein and energy, but producers get a “Aphids thrive in humid conditions similar to what we’ve lot less when their product is sold for feed,” he said. v
25 THE WESTERN PRODUCER