Canada Chickpea Quality Hit by Adverse Weather

Halifax. The Canadian kabuli chickpea market in the 2026-27 marketing season is expected to be largely influenced by crop quality. Industry and trade analysts report that around 40% of the chickpea crop is still standing in fields and awaiting harvesting and preparation. However, unfavourable weather conditions are raising concerns over crop quality.

Canada planted chickpeas on nearly 500,000 acres this year, considered a high acreage given the large carryover stocks. Kabuli chickpeas accounted for about 94% of the total area, while desi chickpeas covered around 6%.

About 83% of Canada’s chickpea acreage was planted in Saskatchewan, the country’s leading agricultural province. Heavy rainfall during the last week of August and the beginning of September has raised concerns about a significant decline in crop quality, particularly for kabuli chickpeas.

Analysts estimate Canada’s current season chickpea production at around 342,000 tonnes, including 320,000 tonnes of kabuli and 22,000 tonnes of desi chickpeas.

According to government agency Statistics Canada, Canada is expected to carry a large surplus stock of around 236,000 tonnes of kabuli chickpeas. Including this carryover, total chickpea availability could rise to nearly 580,000 tonnes, creating pressure on market prices due to high inventories.

Another market analysis estimates total chickpea production this season could reach around 400,000 tonnes, with carryover stocks projected between 250,000 and 275,000 tonnes.

However, analysts largely agree that kabuli chickpea quality has been adversely affected. As a result, the availability of premium-quality kabuli chickpeas for export markets may remain limited despite the large overall supply.