Glacier FarmMedia –
Lentils are expected to see the largest acreage increase, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Prospective Plantings report, released March 28, which forecast a 39.5 per cent increase in seeded area to the crop on the year at 762,000 acres. If realized, that would be the largest lentil acreage in the U.S. since 2018, and well above the five-year average of 586,000 acres.
“We still have to get it in the ground… but growers are certainly responding to fairly strong pricing for all pulses,” said Tim McGreevy, CEO American Pulse Association and the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council in Idaho on the expected acreage increases in all pulse crops.
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“Lentils in particular are fairly priced, and wheat is not,” he added, noting given average yields, lentils would have the highest returns of all the pulses.
Lentil stocks are on the tighter side worldwide, while India has dropped tariffs on U.S. lentils which has contributed to the strength in that market, according to McGreevy. However, seed availability could be a limiting factor on the increase. Weather conditions through the growing season will also be important to watch going forward, especially as many regions remain on the dry side.
While rotational issues often mean that increases in one pulse crop can come at the expense of other pulses, McGreevy pointed out that all the major pulses grown in the U.S. are expected to see an increase in seeded area this year.
Chickpea acres in the U.S. are forecast to increase by 15.2 per cent on the year, at 429,000 acres, according to the USDA. That would be the largest acreage base since 2019.
Edible bean planting intentions at 1.316 million acres would be up by 11.5 per cent from 2023, with about half of the intended acres slated for North Dakota.
Pea area in the U.S. is forecast to increase by about one per cent on the year, at 974,000 acres.
—Phil Franz-Warkentin is an associate editor/analyst with MarketsFarm in Winnipeg.
