Canadian pulse shipments eased in June despite a resilient overall performance in the marketing year. Statistics Canada reported that exports of lentils, dry peas and chickpeas declined compared to May, though cumulative volumes through June remain solid with just one month left in the 2024-25 marketing campaign.

Lentil exports slipped to 79,179 tonnes in June, down from 108,281 tonnes in May, yet total shipments since August 2024 reached 1.772 million tonnes—surpassing the previous year’s total of 1.541 million. India retained its place as the largest buyer year to date, with Turkey and the United Arab Emirates also taking substantial shipments. Notably, lentil exports to Turkey rose 88.9 per cent year-over-year.

Chickpea deliveries also softened, falling to 21,183 tonnes from 26,207 tonnes in May. Nevertheless, the year-to-date total of 200,602 tonnes exceeded the figure from the same point last year.  Pakistan emerged as the top destination for Canadian chickpeas through June, far ahead of the United States and Italy.

Dry pea shipments dropped sharply, decreasing by 48 per cent to 52,490 tonnes in June, bringing the cumulative total for the marketing cycle to 2.148 million tonnes—below the previous year’s haul of 2.383 million. While India maintained its lead as the largest buyer, shipments to China declined, and exports to Bangladesh climbed by over 50 per cent. Sales to the United States also fell.

Overall, the pace of pulse exports may have slowed in June, but the marketing year remains on track. With only one month left until the close of the 2024-25 campaign, the strength in cumulative exports indicates resilience across the sector.