Pulses plantings are on the rise again, with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) forecasting record production in 2024-25. It’s the high-value pulses that are seeing much of the lift.
Pulses are
an important part of cropping rotations in all major cropping regions.
Different areas use different pulses, but this year ABARES expects more to go
in, with pulses taking up 10.7% of the winter cropping area. This is up from 8.5%
last year, which might be a response to weakening cereal prices, while pulse
prices have been stronger this year.
Those who
buy pulses for stock feed might be a little disappointed by ABARES forecasts.
Despite a shift towards pulses in general, Figure 1 shows that lentils and chickpeas
are forecast to receive a solid increase in planting hectares this year.
Figure 1
shows chickpea plantings are expected to hit their highest level since 2017-18,
posting a 71% increase on last year. Chickpeas are largely confined to NSW and
Queensland, and production is forecast to push through 1 million tonnes for the
first time since 2021-22 (Figure 2).
Where chickpeas
are planted in the north, lentils are the high-value pulse in the south. ABARES
is forecasting record lentil plantings, up 31% on last year, which was already
the highest on record.
Faba beans
and field pea plantings are expected to remain relatively steady, with lupins
receiving a small bump. The majority of the lupin crop comes from WA, with faba
beans and field peas preferred in Victoria, SA and NSW.
In terms of
production, no records are expected to be broken, with previous bumper seasons
offering superior yields. Chickpea production is forecast to double, however,
which would likely see some pressure on prices. Lentil production is forecast
to increase by 15%, but like chickpeas, the market is governed largely by
export values.
Pulses
grown for local feed markets can react more to local supply issues, but with
little change forecast, at this stage, they could be expected to tick along
sideways until there are some firmer ideas around supply.
What does it mean?
Increasing pulse plantings has an impact on the ‘big three’ commodity crops, but not as much as the weather. Stronger supplies of pulses in general may see an easing in the high protein feed sectors, but these markets are also linked to canola, and export markets, which makes pricing a little complicated.
Key Points
- ABARES is forecasting an increase in pulse plantings and production this year.
- Much of the increase is in lentils and chickpeas.
- Some pressure may come on high protein feed markets, but other factors also influence the market.
Click on figure to expand
Click on figure to expand
Data sources: ABARES, Mecardo
