Canada reports sharp rise in low-quality chickpea output

14-Nov-2025 04:31 PM

Saskatoon. Canada's production of low-quality chickpeas, or No. 3 or sample-grade chickpeas, is projected to increase to between 159,000 and 204,000 tonnes this year,

significantly higher than last year's production of 8,600 tonnes and the five-year average of 7,900 tonnes. Trade analysts predict significant volumes for low-quality chickpeas during the current marketing season, 2025-26.

Reporters note that the animal feed market already has ample stocks of low-quality chickpeas, while current season production is arriving, which is likely to exert upward pressure on prices.

Processors also agree that there is a significant increase in the supply and availability of low-quality chickpeas.

One processor stated that the quality of chickpeas produced in Canada has been unusually good for the past three to four years, but this time the situation has changed.

This commodity could severely impact market prices in the future. According to the government agency StatsCan, one reason for the poor quality of chickpeas is that this year, the area under cultivation in Canada increased to 54.1 million acres,

the largest area since 2001 and the third highest ever. This resulted in a significant increase in chickpea production across all varieties and grades.

Another reason is believed to be unseasonal rains in July, which were the time when the crop was in the flowering and grain setting phase.

This impacted quality. StatsCan estimates that the production of higher quality chickpeas, such as the No. 2 grade, will be between 17.2 million and 22.1 million tons in the 2025-26 season, while the remaining stock may be of lower quality.