File photo of rice growing near Pune in Maharashtra, western India. (ePhotocorp/iStock/Getty Images)

Near-normal monsoon expected in India

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Monsoon rains in India are expected to be near normal in 2019, according to the first long-range forecast of the year from the India Meteorological Department. The southwest monsoon typically runs from June through September. It provides crucial moisture for the country’s agriculture sector, as it accounts for roughly 70 per cent of […] Read more




(Serts/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Attractive lentil prices may boost acres

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — As prices for both red and green lentils stay firm, experts have predicted lentil acreage across Canada to increase for the 2019 growing season. Carryover from past crops has been negligible in previous years, and what had been produced was quickly sold throughout the year. “This helps farmers’ confidence,” said Tanvir Zaidi, CEO […] Read more



Pinto beans. (Vergani_Fotografia/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Edible beans on move

Reading Time: 1 minute MarketsFarm — Following a lengthy 2018 harvest, Manitoba’s edible bean farmers are optimistic about the 2019 growing season. According to an outlook report published in late December by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, pulse farmers are expected to plant approximately the same amount of acreage as seen in 2018. However, after strong yields in 2018, Manitoba […] Read more


Pulse weekly outlook: Green pea premium to erode with acreage increase

Pulse weekly outlook: Green pea premium to erode with acreage increase

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Green peas continue to command a sizeable premium over their yellow counterparts in Western Canada, which should see acreage shift this spring and an eventual rebalancing of the price spread. Green peas usually trade at a premium to yellow peas due to higher quality specs and concerns over bleaching, but the current price […] Read more




Chickpeas in India. (Nikhil Patil/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada, U.S. to challenge India’s pulse price supports

Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada and the U.S. are set to challenge India’s market price supports for certain pulses including chickpeas and lentils. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Friday announced that “together with Canada” they’ve submitted a “counter notification” on the matter to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture (COA). […] Read more