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Peas and lentils: high prices for red lentils

May 20, 2026 at 12:41 PM , Der AUDITOR
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OTTAWA. The Canadian pea market remains largely firm, although demand could be stronger. Prices for red lentils, however, have reached high levels, mainly due to potential crop failures in India.

Weak trading activity for peas

The Canadian pea market remains characterised by subdued demand. There is still little trading on the spot market, with green peas in particular under pressure and only limited buying interest. Prices are therefore easing slightly. Trading in maple peas is also quiet; certain varieties have recently been more difficult to sell. Contract signings for the new crop remain sluggish overall.

Yellow peas, by contrast, continue to show a comparatively stable trend. Support is coming primarily from demand from China and India. According to the experts at Rayglen Commodities, prices for yellow peas are holding steady at around CAD 8.00/bu FOB for both the old and the new crop.

In Saskatchewan, sowing is progressing more slowly, particularly in the north and east of the province. Should the delays persist, some acreages could be pulled out of the pea rotation this year, according to Rayglen.

Delayed delivery dates for lentils

According to the market experts, the lentil market in Canada remained largely stable, although substantial stocks, particularly of green lentils, are likely to carry over into the next season. Small green lentils were unable to maintain the levels seen in previous weeks, while large green lentils are trading at a more stable level of around CAD 0.25/lb FOB farm. Concerns about the monsoon in India temporarily slowed sales of older stocks. At the same time, buyers and sellers remained active in trading for the new crop across all grades.

Buyers are now increasingly focusing their attention on red lentils. Prices in this sector have stabilised and recently reached their highest level in around a year. This is due to fears of potential crop failures in India. Delivery dates are increasingly being pushed back towards the end of July, and in some cases as late as August. According to Rayglen Commodities, marketing the old crop could become more difficult as we head into the summer months.

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