Substantial Chickpea Stocks in Canada Despite Improved Export Performance

20-Mar-2026 08:53 PM

Toronto. Indications suggest a significant increase in Kabuli chickpea exports from Canada during the current 2025-26 marketing season compared to 2024-25. The United States, the European Union, and the Middle East remain its primary markets, where demand for Kabuli chickpeas has remained robust.

However, despite this improved export performance, a massive carryover stock of Kabuli chickpeas is likely to remain in Canada at the end of the current marketing season. This is attributed to two factors: firstly, record production was achieved during the 2025-26 season; and secondly, the presence of existing carryover stocks from the previous season significantly boosted overall availability.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Kabuli chickpea production also rose by 20 percent, reaching 310,000 tonnes; nevertheless, a healthy increase in demand for Canadian Kabuli chickpeas is still being observed in that market.

Canada's Ministry of Agriculture states that—despite the substantial carryover stocks and the likelihood of lower returns compared to other crops—the area sown with Kabuli chickpeas could expand by 14,000 hectares in the 2026-27 season.

However, a decline in yield rates is anticipated, which could cause total production to contract to approximately 340,000 tonnes.

Despite this, the sheer volume of carryover stocks is expected to result in an overall increase in total availability. Exports are projected to remain around the levels observed in the 2025-26 season, while average prices may trend slightly higher.