SASKATOON — Conflict in the Middle East is hurting sales of Canadian pulse crops to that important region of the world, say traders.
“If you have a cargo with any of the shipping lines, they are ending the journey at a destination that is not on your bill of lading,” said Tala Mobayen, director of Victoria Pulse Trading Corporation.
Her firm operates a pulse processing plant in Francis, Sask., and a trading office in Vancouver. The Middle East is one of many markets they service.
Mobayen said shipping companies are also imposing add-on fees related to the conflict.
“They are very, very hefty at this point in time,” she said.
As a result, there is no business being conducted in that market.
“I don’t see anyone buying new cargo because they’re just worried about their safety,” said Mobayen.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region bought 801,000 tonnes of Canadian pulses worth $769 million in 2025, according to Pulse Canada.
Roughly 78 per cent of that business was lentils, with chickpeas chipping in another nine per cent.
Saleh Reda, vice-president of GEDKO Global Trading Partners, said shippers with product on the water heading to the Middle East are being slammed with a US$2,000 per container, or $80 per tonne, surcharge.
They are also being forced to pay an $800 per container, or $32 per tonne, rerouting charge with their cargo being dropped off at the nearest safe port.
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