Australian chickpeas drop, lentils surge in March

Australia exported 35,563 tonnes of chickpeas and 102,182t of lentils in March, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The chickpea figure is down 65 per cent from the 102,259t shipped in February, while the lentil figure is up 38pc from the 74,163t exported in February.

Bangladesh was the biggest market by far for both pulses, and accounted for half the chickpea and lentils exports in March.

The containerised markets of Nepal on 7337t and Pakistan on 2937t were the second and third-biggest chickpea markets, while Egypt on 19,476t and India on 13,318t were the second and third-biggest markets for lentils.

Egypt is the major destination for bulk Australian faba beans, and trade sources report lentils have been making up a hatch or two in some of those cargoes.

In its latest Pulse Guidance Notes released last month, Pulse Australia (PA) said lentils have been the “standout performer” of Australia’s 2021 pulse exports, driven largely by Canada’s poor crop and inability to supply.

“Lentil outlook in the short term is very positive while demand continues,” PA said in its report.

“Bulk markets offer strong opportunity, especially from South Australian ports.” Those markets include Bangladesh, India and the United Arab Emirates.

“In India, red lentils continue to trade above the Minimum Support Price (MSP), with a lift in pricing post-harvest possibly indicating harvest volumes below expectations.

“This contrasts with desi chickpeas, where the rabi harvest was in line or above expectations, and consequently, pricing has fallen below MSP.”

Table 1: Australian chickpea exports from October 2021 to March 2022. Source: ABS

Table 2: Australian lentil exports from October 2021 to March 2022. Source: ABS

Tags: Australia, exports, lentils, chickpeas, pulses, shipped, exported, markets, faba beans