Quality Issues Stabilize Chickpea Market

13-Nov-2025 06:04 PM

Vancouver. While chickpea production in Canada has increased significantly this year compared to last year, which is already putting pressure on prices, an even more serious issue is the quality of the product.

The high proportion of green chickpeas in chickpeas is making grading them difficult for producers and incurring higher costs.

This is increasing input costs, while market prices remain stable and have limited fluctuations, significantly reducing producer margins.

The FOB formula for No. 2 grade chickpeas in Canadian markets remains at 31-32 cents per pound, but this rate is determined by grain size.

The quality of No. 3 grade chickpeas and sample products is trading at a price of just 15 cents per pound, limiting buying and selling.

Producers appear to prefer selling grade 2 over grade 3, as there is a significant price difference between the two.

If prices don't rise, farmers' enthusiasm and interest will decline, potentially impacting next year's sowing. Chickpea sowing will take place in April-May next year, a six- to seven-month window.

Producers expect market prices to rise in the first quarter of 2026 (January-March). Chickpea crops also face problems such as low germination and insect and disease infestations. Farmers' dilemmas are increasing.