Demand and price are positive for quality pulses

"There is a firm export demand at the right price and right quality for human consumption beans,"says Ian Skinn, Gleadell’s pulses trader. "We have just loaded the MV Heroi Stakhorskyi with 6,000 mt of beans at our Immingham dockside facility bound for the Egyptian market, and we have further consignments on the books."

"The same is true for good green peas where there is demand for the new year, with values at £250/t plus - dependent on quality. Marrowfats are also in demand, again dependent on quality, at £370/t plus."

"Looking at pulse plantings, there are many farmers who have not completed their winter cereal sowing and also there is late-drilled oilseed rape struggling, so winter bean plantings are expected to be 50% up; there could be a similar increase in the spring, given the correct conditions ," Mr Skinn added.