Drought Conditions in Australia Slow Down Pulse Sales

20-Apr-2026 03:50 PM

Hobart. A severe drought crisis has emerged in the northern part of Australia; consequently, producers are showing limited interest in selling chickpeas, lentils, and faba beans. Export offer prices for these pulses in the region have also remained relatively stable. Producers do not appear to be in the mood to sell their existing stocks at current price levels.

Due to a severe drought in the northern part of New South Wales and the southwestern region of Queensland, soil moisture in the fields has completely depleted.

As a result, the acreage dedicated to these crops—particularly chickpeas and faba beans—is expected to decline during the current year.

Notably, Australia is the world's leading exporter of chickpeas and the second-largest exporter of lentils; India imports substantial quantities of both these pulses from the country. Australia also exports faba beans, peas, and lupins.

Conversely, the provinces of South Australia and Victoria have been receiving intermittent, substantial rainfall since late February, raising hopes for an expansion in the sowing area for lentils and faba beans in those regions.

The sowing season for pulse crops in Australia is set to commence shortly, yet farmers find themselves in a state of uncertainty due to various factors.

Regarding chickpeas and lentils, there is currently sufficient stock available to meet both domestic and export demand in the near term; consequently, prices are not witnessing any upward trend despite the reduced volume of sales by farmers.