Most pulse and special crops are expected to be acreage losers in 2026 due to weak prices.
Initial new-crop supply-demand estimates released by Statistics Canada Wednesday suggest pulse and special crop seeded area will decline by a combined 12% this year, with notable reductions for both dry peas and lentils.
Dry peas are expected to see one of the sharpest pullbacks among Canadian crops. Seeded area is forecast to fall to 2.96 million acres, down 15% from last year, reflecting poor profitability compared with cereals and oilseeds as well as continued import tariffs imposed by India.
With acreage falling and yields assumed to return to trend levels, dry pea production is forecast to drop 28% to 2.85 million tonnes. Despite the smaller crop, exports are forecast to increase from 2025-26 levels, supported by stronger shipments to destinations outside India. Ending stocks are seen at 755,000 tonnes, well down from the 2025-26 forecast of 1.265 million.
The average dry pea price is projected to rise modestly by $10/tonne to $310, though global supplies are expected to remain ample and limit upside potential.
At 3.95 million acres, lentil seeded area is projected down 9.7% with production declining to 2.25 million tonnes from 3.363 million last year. Large carry-in stocks are expected to blunt the impact of reduced output, leaving total supply only slightly lower at 3.86 million tonnes.
Lentil exports are forecast to rise 100,000 tonnes to 2.2 million tonnes in 2026-27, even with a smaller exportable surplus, reflecting steady international demand. However, ending stocks are still projected at a heavy 1.3 million tonnes, although down from 1.535 million for 2025-26.
The season average lentil price is seen at $540/tonne, up $30 from a year earlier.
Among other special crops, dry bean seeded area is forecast to decline to 370,650 acres due to large carry-in stocks and stronger return prospects for soybeans and corn. Chickpea acreage is also expected to fall year over year as growers shift away in response to weaker returns.
Canary seed acreage is projected lower, with production seen falling 43%, while sunflower plantings and output are also expected to decline due to weaker competitiveness versus alternative crops.
Mustard seed is one exception, with seeded area expected to increase following stronger returns last season, though production is forecast to dip to 135,000 tonnes as yields return to normal.
