As frost descends on Saskatchewan’s vast farmlands, a different kind of chill is spreading through the province’s pea-growing community. India, the world’s largest consumer of pulses and historically Saskatchewan’s biggest customer for yellow peas, has just announced plans to impose a 44% tariff on Canadian imports starting next month.
“We’re essentially losing money by growing peas at this point,” says Marion Erickson, who farms 3,000 acres near Rosetown. Standing beside rows of harvested fields, Erickson’s weathered face shows the strain of uncertainty that’s become all too familiar. “My father grew peas, I grow peas. But I don’t know if my kids will.”
Saskatchewan produces over 80% of Canada’s peas, with exports valued at roughly $1.1 billion annually according to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. The province’s farmers have spent decades building expertise in pulse crop production, turning the humble pea into an agricultural success story and environmental win. Pulses naturally fix nitrogen in soil, reducing the need for fertilizers while providing a protein-rich food source in global markets.
But trade tensions have transformed this success into vulnerability. India first imposed significant tariffs in 2017, briefly relaxed them during pandemic-related food security concerns, and is now tightening restrictions again. The timing couldn’t be worse, coming right after harvest when many producers are making planting decisions for next spring.
Gordon Bacon, former CEO of Pulse Canada, explains that diversification efforts have helped but haven’t fully replaced the Indian market. “We’ve seen increased exports to China and Bangladesh, but India remains the price-setter for yellow peas globally. When they restrict imports, it affects the entire market.”
Market data from StatCan reveals the impact: pea prices have dropped nearly 30% since the announcement, with current prices hovering around $7 per bushel—well below the estimated $9 needed for most farmers to break even after accounting for input costs, transportation, and storage.
The situation is particularly frustrating for producers who’ve invested in specialized equipment and storage facilities. “I spent $400,000 on handling equipment specifically for pulses three years ago,” says Rajinder Singh, who farms near Swift Current. “That investment was based on forecasts showing steady growth in pulse exports. Now I’m wondering if I’ll be able to recoup that cost.”
This isn’t just about individual farmers—it’s about rural communities. Each grain elevator or processing facility employs local workers, supports transportation networks, and generates economic activity. In towns like Assiniboia and Kindersley, agriculture isn’t just a sector—it’s the foundation of the local economy.
Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit has called for federal intervention, requesting that Ottawa challenge India’s tariffs through World Trade Organization mechanisms. “These are not evidence-based trade measures, but protectionist policies designed to support India’s domestic production at the expense of Canadian farmers,” Marit stated in a press conference last week.
The science seems to support this view. Canadian peas face import restrictions despite meeting all phytosanitary requirements and quality standards. The tariffs appear disconnected from any legitimate food safety or plant health concerns that typically justify trade restrictions.
For farmers, the options are limited. Some are considering shifting acres to other crops like canola or wheat, though these markets have challenges of their own. Others are looking at value-added processing, hoping to export finished products rather than raw commodities.
“We’re exploring partnerships with plant-based protein manufacturers,” explains Lisa Vollman, who operates a mid-sized farm near Melfort. “If we can process our peas into protein concentrates here in Saskatchewan, maybe we can overcome some of these trade barriers and capture more value.”
Industry associations are also working on market diversification. Jason Green from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers points to emerging opportunities: “We’re seeing increased interest from North American food manufacturers looking to incorporate plant proteins. There’s also growing demand in Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam and Indonesia.”
Economic modeling from the University of Saskatchewan suggests that while diversification is possible, the transition will be painful. Dr. Amanda Torres from the university’s agricultural economics department estimates that the province’s pulse sector could contract by up to 25% before finding equilibrium with new market realities.
“When trade relationships that took decades to build are disrupted, the adjustment period is measured in years, not months,” Torres explains. “Farmers will adapt—they always do—but there will be consolidation, and some will exit the industry entirely.”
The situation highlights the vulnerability of export-dependent agricultural systems to geopolitical tensions and policy shifts in distant markets. Climate change adds another layer of complexity, as growing regions shift and extreme weather events become more common.
For now, Saskatchewan’s pea farmers are doing what they’ve always done—adapting and looking forward. Many are adjusting crop rotations, experimenting with different varieties, and exploring new markets. But there’s a recognition that the golden age of Canadian pulse exports may be fading.
As winter approaches and planning begins for next year’s growing season, farmers like Erickson are making difficult choices. “We’ve reduced our pea acreage by half for next year,” she says. “It’s the first time in twenty years I’ve cut back this dramatically, but we need to protect our farm’s financial sustainability.”
The fields may look different next spring, but Saskatchewan’s agricultural community has weathered challenges before. The question remains whether federal trade negotiators can help level the playing field before too many producers abandon a crop that has become part of the province’s agricultural identity.
