Peas and lentils: weather and demand as key factors
September 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Pea market shows increased activity
The Canadian pea market continues to show some signs of recovery, although buying interest is often more subdued at this time of year during the harvest. Strong exports of pulses to India and China are helping to reduce carry-over stocks from last year, as the experts at Rayglen Commodities note in their latest report. At the same time, this year’s yields have so far been lower than originally expected. Production is therefore now considered to be closer to the five-year average.
Buying interest in yellow peas has recently increased, whilst the market for other varieties remains quieter. Prices for yellow peas have stabilised. Price trends in India are also supporting the market. Premiums are being offered in some cases for produce not treated with glyphosate. Green peas continue to trade at a comparatively firm level, whilst the maple pea market remains relatively quiet and sellers are cautious about their current asking prices. Weather problems could also affect the quality of the crop still in the fields. It remains to be seen whether the increased interest in yellow peas will extend to other varieties.
Lentil trade is also slowly picking up pace
The lentil trade has also picked up recently. Red lentils are seeing the highest level of activity, followed by green lentils. Prices are beginning to stabilise, as poor weather is affecting the quality of the crop still in the fields and leading to harvest delays. There is already particularly high demand for goods from the 2026 crop that are already in storage and being offered for sale directly. For green lentils, some buyers are now offering a slight premium for the 2026 crop compared with 2025. If the bad weather in the Canadian Prairie provinces persists, the price differential between the 2025 and 2026 crop could narrow further or disappear altogether.
At the same time, attention is turning to India: between 1 June and 31 August, the monsoon brought around 13% less rainfall than usual. Depending on rainfall in September, a production shortfall in pulses could lead to higher import requirements. According to Rayglen Commodities, figures from the Indian government on acreage and crop yields are expected at the end of October.
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