Pulse demand turns market price upward

Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor | Apr 30, 20200

WHITMAN COUNTY – Last fall chickpeas were sitting in the fields, uncertain if they would even be cut due to low prices. In recent weeks, pulse crops have been flying off grocery shelves across the United States like toilet paper.

"The demand has come at a feverish pace," said Spokane Seed President Andrew Fontaine.

Fontaine recalled his grandfather, who was president of the company in his day, telling him their product did well in times of war and recession and they are seeing both now. People are seeking after low cost, shelf stable foods of which chickpeas, peas and lentils are prime candidates.

Traditionally, Spokane Seed's highest selling time is "soup season," September to March. This year Fontaine is seeing a second soup season with additional sales of 30 to 40 percent after March. They have also done a lot of export business to Spain and Italy, countries hard hit by the pandemic.

"I think it will translate into better prices (for farmers)," Fontaine said. However, it's unknown how long the trend will continue and if people will buy normally next "soup season" or increase to have extra items on their shelves for security.

"We sat in the doldrums for chickpeas for the past year," Fontaine said. While there has not been a spike in prices, they have at least gone up one or two cents which is the right direction. Three years ago prices were much higher, but over production and trade tariffs sank those prices.

Spokane Seed has not seen a dramatic switch in plantings even after the surge of demand. Although this region is typically in the middle of pulse planting at this time, we are actually ahead of schedule and plantings are almost finished. According to Fontaine, chickpea acres are 40 percent down from last year.

Spokane Seed processes peas, chickpeas and lentils grown on the Palouse with processing plant locations in Spokane and Colfax. The company has been around since 1908 and Fontaine's family has seen demand rise and fall, including a spike in demand for Y2K.

"This is 10 times more bizarre than that," he said.