Pulse prices firm as lentils, chickpeas and lupins also prove their worth in rotations

Lentils, chickpeas and lupins are attracting grower interest not only for their returns but also their rotational value.

Farmers say pulse prices are positive at the moment. However, most are considering the rotational values just as much as the dollar value.

In the past month lupins have increased by $30 a tonne to settle at $710 a tonne and field peas are making $750 a tonne.

Desi chickpeas are at $920 a tonne and Kabuli chickpeas are trending at $1025 a tonne with Hallmark lentils also faring well for $900 a tonne.

South Australian farmer Richard Konzag of Mallala said conditions were still dry in his area however a couple of millimetres of rain this week had shown some promise.

“It settled the dust and has made seeding a little more pleasant,” he said.

Richard Konzag at his Mallala Property. Picture Matt Turner.

He will grow oats for hay, lentils, barley and wheat this year.

Mr Konzag said while the price for lentils was looking good he hadn’t forward sold any yet, however all of last seasons lentils had been sold.

“Looking at prices, and comparing values from last year, we could get $900 to $950 a tonne for lentils,” he said.

Scott and Krystal Muller of Biloela in Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Scott and Krystal Muller farm at Biloela in Central Queensland and are about 90 per cent of the way through sowing winter crops.

Mr Muller said he had nearly finished planting chickpeas.

“Our decision to plant chickpeas is as much about the rotational value as the price, although it is good to see any improvement in price,” he said.

“We should see at least $800 a tonne for chickpeas.”

Meanwhile, Rabobank’s Australian pulses exports and tariffs report cites volatility for the pulse market on the world market.

Report author and grains and oilseeds analyst Vitor Pistoia said currency volatility and shipping costs could impact returns.

The report also cited the 100 per cent tariff placed by China on Canadian peas as being a factor that would influence market demand.

Despite tariff concerns there was only a 10 per cent tariff for imports of lentils and chickpeas destined for India.