Projected Decline in Sowing Area for Pulse Crops in the US

06-Apr-2026 12:30 PM

Washington. The sowing of pulse crops—such as peas, lentils (primarily green varieties), and Kabuli chickpeas—is set to commence in the United States over the coming days.

Meanwhile, a report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding farmers' planting intentions provides clear indications of a projected decline in the acreage dedicated to these three pulse crops.

According to the USDA report, compared to the previous year, the area under pea cultivation in the U.S. during the current year is expected to slip from 1.2 million acres to 1.19 million acres; the sowing area for green lentils is projected to drop from 1.1 million acres to 854,000 acres; and the acreage for Kabuli chickpeas is expected to shrink by 13 percent—from 573,000 acres to 501,000 acres.

The USDA notes that if yield rates remain stable at their historical averages, the production of green lentils in the U.S. during the year under review could contract from 492,000 tons to 337,000 tons.

As for peas, despite high input costs, farmers are unlikely to make significant cuts to the sowing area, as they remain optimistic about securing favorable returns from this pulse crop in the future.

Conversely, sluggish demand for green lentils is exerting downward pressure on prices—a situation causing considerable concern among American farmers. Furthermore, the existence of massive pulse stocks in Canada has left farmers in a state of uncertainty regarding their planting decisions.