Australia: Crops establish in mixed conditions

Australia’s chickpea, faba bean, and lentil crops have all established in conditions that vary from good to ideal in the northern regions to average at best in the south. Nearly all regions will need rain over the next fortnight to keep prospects for average or better yields in sight. South Australian lentil growers and New South Wales and Queensland chickpea growers have kicked off the season’s forward selling in markets which are trading sideways. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars per tonne unless stated otherwise. Modest amounts of containerised chickpeas are being shipped as the bulk program goes into hibernation ahead of new-crop shipments starting in October. Prices have changed little from last month, with prompt deliveries to up-country packers trading at around $800/t, and $700/t for new-crop delivered November-December. Central Qld chickpeas are the most advanced of any Australian pulse crop, and JB Ag Services agronomist Belinda Chase said earliest crops are ...