Lentils: difficult demand situation
April 22, 2026 at 11:22 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Bumper crop
Production was very good in Canada this year and figures were revised upwards following the yields survey conducted by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Group. Above-average yields prompted production to rise to well over 3 million mt, whereas figures rather ranged at 1.5-2.5 million mt in recent years. Together with carry-in supplies from 2024/2025, around 4 million mt of lentils are available in Canada this season. Exports may reach 2.1 million mt.
Red lentils dominate the market. As Rayglen Commodities report, prices are holding steady at USD 0.25/lb FOB ex-producer for prompt shipments. New crop prices stand at USD 0.23/lb FOB. Large green lentils for shipment in April/May are currently trading at USD 0.23/lb FOB and small green lentils, no 1, at USD 0.21/lb FOB. Demand for no 2 has virtually dried up. Opportunities to market lower-quality lentils will remain limited until shipping through the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal. In addition to the bumper crop, restrictions on international trade are putting pressure on Canadian lentils. According to Rayglen Commodities, it remains questionable whether demand can offset the increase in production. End-of-season stocks are currently estimated at just under 1.7 million mt. Sustained demand from India is currently supporting the market.
Smaller production anticipated
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada expects the area sown to decline by 6% to 1.7 million ha in 2026/2027. The production estimate ranges just below 2.4 million mt. As carry-overs will be high total supply is projected at 4.1 million mt
|
Lentils, Canada |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
Diff. |
|
Area sown (ha) |
1,704,000 |
1,772,000 |
4.0% |
1,772,000 |
1,674,000 |
-5.5% |
|
Area harvested (ha) |
1,693,000 |
1,743,000 |
3.0% |
1,743,000 |
1,650,000 |
-5.3% |
|
Yield (mt/ha) |
1.44 |
1.93 |
34.0% |
1.93 |
1.42 |
-26.4% |
|
Production (mt) |
2,431,000 |
3,363,000 |
38.3% |
3,363,000 |
2,350,000 |
-30.1% |
|
Imports (mt) |
126,000 |
75,000 |
-40.5% |
75,000 |
75,000 |
0.0% |
|
Total supply (mt) |
2,722,000 |
3,999,000 |
46.9% |
3,999,000 |
4,120,000 |
3.0% |
|
Exports (mt) |
1,822,000 |
2,100,000 |
15.3% |
2,100,000 |
2,200,000 |
4.8% |
|
Domestic consumption (mt) |
339,000 |
204,000 |
-39.8% |
204,000 |
250,000 |
22.5% |
|
Carry-over supply (mt) |
561,000 |
1,695,000 |
202.1% |
1,695,000 |
1,670,000 |
-1.5% |
|
Avg CAD/mt |
790 |
510 |
-35.4% |
510 |
540 |
5.9% |
|
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
||||||
EU spot market prices for Canadian lentils
FCA Netherlands quotations range at EUR 765-999/mt (USD 899-1,174/mt) for conventional lentils and stand at EUR 3,090/mt (USD 3,631/mt) for black organic Beluga lentils.
|
Lentils, Canada |
|
|
Type |
EUR/mt |
|
Black, Beluga, no 1 |
999 |
|
Organic, black, Beluga, no 1 |
3,090 |
|
Green, Laird, 99.95% |
765 |
|
Yellow, split, sortex, premium |
999 |
|
Red, no 1, split & football, polished |
815 |
|
FCA Netherlands |
|
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