Canada's Chick Pea Industry

Chick pea (Cicer arietinum), is a cool season plant primarily grown in Saskatchewan. The two commercial types of chick peas produced are kabuli and desi. Kabuli chick peas, also known as garbanzo beans, have a larger, cream-coloured seed with a thin seed coat, while the desi type has a smaller, darker coloured seed with a thick seed coat. Within these two types are a number of distinct varieties grown in Canada, including: Sanford kabuli, Dwelley kabuli, B-90 kabuli, CDC Yuma kabuli, CDC Xena kabuli, Myles desi, and CDC Desiray desi.

Chick peas are best adapted to the brown and dark brown soil zones of south-western Saskatchewan and south-eastern Alberta. In these regions production problems and crop diseases are less common. The most serious disease affecting chick pea production is ascochyta blight. In regions where this blight is present, chick peas should not be seeded in the same field more than once every four years. Chick pea production works well in rotation with cereal grains such as spring or durum wheat.

Area of Production

Canadian chick pea production was first recorded in 1995 when harvested area equalled 1 thousand hectares. Since then, the area of production has increased substantially. Between 1998 and 1999, the harvested area increased 247% from 38 thousand hectares to 132 thousand hectares. The chick pea area of production more than doubled in 2000 to reach 283 thousand hectares, and the upward trend continued with a 65% increase in 2001 to 467 thousand hectares. However, in 2002, the harvested area declined for the first time on record, down 67% to 154 thousand hectares, mainly due to a decrease in the seeded area. In 2003, harvested area decreased an additional 59% down to 63 thousand hectares. For 2004, harvested area is expected to increase slightly to 64 thousand hectares ⁽¹⁾.

Yield

Chick peas have a higher yield potential in the brown and dark brown soil zones, primarily due to their heat and drought tolerance. Variations in yield are usually determined by the variety seeded. Desi chick peas mature rather early, while most kabuli types take longer to mature. Yields of the desi type are about 15% higher than that of the kabuli type. Chick pea yield varied between 1.33 and 1.42 tonnes per hectare from 1998 to 2000. In 2001, yield decreased 29% to 0.97 tonne per hectare and increased only slightly in 2002 to 1.02 tonnes per hectare. Chick pea yield had another small increase in 2003, rising to 1.08 tonnes per hectare. The yield forecast for 2004 is to remain relatively stable ⁽¹⁾.

Volume of Production

Canadian chick pea production is concentrated in Saskatchewan where, in 2003, 80% of production occurred. The remainder of Canadian chick pea production occurs in Alberta. Commercial chick pea production in Canada was first recorded in 1995 at 1 thousand tonnes, but it has increased rapidly since. Production was 51 thousand tonnes in 1998 and increased significantly, reaching a record 455 thousand tonnes in 2001, an increase of 792%. In 2002, however, chick pea production fell to 157 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 66%, due to a fall in harvested area. Chick pea production fell an additional 57% in 2003 to 68 thousand tonnes. Chick pea production is expected to increase slightly to 70 thousand tonnes in 2004, due to a 4% increase in seeded area. Production is expected to increase for the large kabuli type but decrease for both the desi and small kabuli types ⁽¹⁾.

Disposition

Canadian chick pea exports have increased sharply in recent years, in line with increased production. From 1998 to 2001, exports increased almost 1142%, from 12 thousand tonnes to 149 thousand tonnes, moving Canada's share of world exports from 7th place in 1998 to 4th place in 2001. This upward trend ended in 2002 when Canadian chick pea exports dropped to 125 thousand tonnes. In 2003, the exported quantity of chick peas continued to slide, falling to 94 thousand tonnes. Canadian chick pea exports are forecasted to decrease once again in 2004, due to a lower supply ⁽¹⁾.

India was the largest importer of Canadian chick peas in 2003, with a share of 52%, followed by Bangladesh and Pakistan, with shares of 8% and 7%, respectively.

Additional Information

Chick peas are used mainly for human consumption. The desi type seed must be dehulled and can be used whole, split, or milled. Chick peas are also used as a vegetable; the kabuli type is used mainly in salads and vegetable mixes, while the desi type may be milled into flour. They are also used in preparing a wide variety of snack foods, soups, sweets, and condiments. In the Middle East, chick peas are consumed in the form of a dish known as hummus, which is produced from mashed chick peas mixed with oil and spices. Chick peas are an excellent source of protein, fibre, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. They are low in sodium and fat and can be used in many healthy diets. Since production of chick peas has been growing rapidly, small volumes of low quality chick peas are being used for livestock feed. Nutritional analysis indicates that chick peas make an excellent feed for many types of livestock.

For the latest market information and analysis available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, please consult the following publications:

• Canada: Pulse and Special Crops Outlook
• Bi-weekly Bulletin
• Drought Watch

⁽¹⁾  Forecast based on August-July crop year, Market Analysis Division, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, April 28, 2004.