A chickpea crop at Capella in Central Queensland photographed earlier this month and close to harvest. Photo: Michael Vaughan, ADM

AUSTRALIA exported 44,808 tonnes of chickpeas and 66,862t of lentils in July, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Pakistan was once again the biggest market by far for chickpea exports, taking 30,733t, or 69 per cent, of July shipments, which were down 15pc from the June total.

Lentil exports were down 7pc from the June total, with Bangladesh followed by Sri Lanka being the biggest markets for July shipment.

Australian exports of lentils are expected to rise sharply in August following the Indian Government’s announcement in late July of a drop in its tariff to 10pc from 30pc.

With sorghum and wheat dominating nearby shipping slots at Queensland ports, Australia’s bulk chickpea exports look like they will be slow to get going this season.

The earliest chickpea crops in Central Queensland are very close to harvest, and are expected to fill container slots ex Brisbane before new-crop bulk kicks in in December once southern Queensland new-crop becomes available.

Table 1: Australian lentil exports in May, June and July 2021. Source: ABS

Table 2: Australian lentil exports in May, June and July 2021. Source: ABS

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