LENTIL growers are heading into harvest with prices at a historical high but production is expected to be less than 30 per cent of average.
But while drought in the Middle East has created strong international demand for lentils, other pulses, including beans, peas and chick peas, don't look like they will trade as high as last season.
Lentil production this season is expected to average 0.2-0.4 tonnes/ha, down on longer-term averages of 1.5-2 tonnes/ha although some crops harvested near Ultima in Victoria produced a pleasing 0.6-0.8 tonnes/ha.
Victorian lentil production estimates have dropped from the 70,000-80,000 tonnes tipped in September to less than 20,000 tonnes.
This season lentil prices have been at historical highs of more than $1000/tonne, with some farmers taking up area contracts in the middle of the year at $1100/tonne.
However, late last week, the price dropped more than $100/tonne in a day.
"At these levels for lentils there is a lot of volatility," David Matthews from Wimmera Grain Company said.
Kabuli chick peas, which cracked the $1000/tonne mark last season on the back of strong domestic demand, are seeing limited pre-harvest trade at about $600/tonne.
"This year prices for small kabulis have been around $600 delivered to local depots," Mr Matthews said.
He said Wimmera chick peas were growing well despite low rainfall, with some benefiting from late rain and production tipped to be 0.8-1tonne/ha.
Mr Matthews said a large northern NSW desi chick-pea crop of more than 300,000 tonnes was having an impact on prices.
"It will put some short term pressure on the Kabuli market as well," Mr Matthews said.
While beans and peas topped at or near $600/tonne last year they were last week trading at about $330/tonne at port in South Australia.
This drop is being attributed to a good bean supply from Europe and strong pea production in Canada.
