GPC Ask the Experts North America/
USA Dry Peas, Lentils & Chickpeas

SESSION SPONSOR

Analyst & Moderator:
• Jeff Rumney, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council

Panelist:
• Max Hinrichs, Ardent Mills
• Tony Roelofs, Columbia Grain
• Justin Flaten, JM Grain
• Mark Boryski, AGT Foods

At the GPC Ask the Experts North America: USA Dry Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas session, Jeff Rumney of the US Dry Pea and Lentil Council was joined by panelists Max Hindrichs of Ardent Mills, Tony Roloefs of Columbia Grain, Justin Flaten of JM Grain and Mark Boryski of AGT to discuss this year’s harvest. 

In his presentation, Mr. Rumney talked about production and yields for dry peas, lentils and chickpeas. The total planted acres for these pulses was a little over 2 million acres, comprising around 970 thousand acres of peas, 711 thousand acres of lentils and 376 thousand acres of chickpeas. Despite the planted acres being strong, the drought meant that total production this year was 919,577 MT, a significant decrease from last year, which was considered a normal year and in which closer to 1.5 million MT was produced.

Going into detail, production for peas was estimated at 551 thousand MT and the yield at 1322 lbs/acre, which is significantly lower than last year’s 2,300 lbs/acre. The USADPLC’s supply and demand data showed a fairly high carry-in for 2021 of around 150 thousand MT (about 50/50 greens/yellows) plus around 154 thousand MT of imports, bringing the total supply to around 855 thousand MT, which is significantly reduced compared to the last few years in which supply was well over one million MT. Exports are also predicted to be reduced, with data showing an estimate of 265 thousand MT compared to last year’s 500 thousand. With domestic use calculated at around 500 thousand MT and 65 thousand MT for seeding, carry-in for next year will be very low, around 21 thousand MT. Mr. Rumney highlighted that high carry-in for the past few years has greatly helped cushion supply during this drought year.

Regarding lentils, 2021 production was estimated at around 230 thousand MT, down from last year which was closer to 400 thousand MT, and yields at 763 lbs/acre, a huge drop from the average which has consistently been well over 1,000 lbs. Rumney indicated that the drought has affected lentils more than it did dry peas and it is fortunate that carry-in this year was high, at 83 thousand MT, meaning that with imports of around 70 thousand MT, total supply will be around 384 thousand MT, down from 487 thousand MT last year. Of this, exports will make up around 276 thousand MT, domestic use about 70 thousand MT and seed 22 thousand MT, leaving carry-in for next year extremely reduced. 

The story was similar with chickpeas, for which the production estimate is 137 thousand MT, split between 118 thousand of large and 19 thousand of small. Yield analysis showed a current yield of 825 lbs/acre, which is roughly half of last year. A good carry-in of 115 thousand MT cushioned supply, which, after around imports of 57 thousand MT, is about 310 thousand MT, down from 433 thousand last year. With exports of 133 thousand MT, domestic use of 136 thousand MT and 27 thousand MT for seed, stocks will be significantly depleted going into next year: at 4% compared to 26% last year. Finishing with a look at US grower market prices, a sharp upward trend was seen across all three pulses: 45 cents for chickpeas, 40 cents for lentils and 22 cents for peas, per CWT. Despite the drought, the USADPLC data showed quality of #1 FAQ across the board.    

During the panel discussion, an outlook was given on grower sentiment and yields per region and panelists touched on the upcoming difficulty of competing with other crops, many of which are at all-time highs. The plant-based trend and the feed industry were identified as main drivers for demand for peas, as well as some food aid programs. Mr. Roloefs indicated that the new fractionation plants appearing in the market is causing an increase in acreage and more fall-seeded peas, even in areas that haven’t traditionally grown peas such as central Washington. Panelists also touched on the importance of sustainability with Mr. Hindrichs highlighting the need to tell consumers the story of sustainability, which has always been a concern for growers. Mr. Rumney added that USADPLC analyses have been investigating more into consumer choice and the resulting evidence points to the increasing significance of environmental concerns.