AUSTRALIA DESI CHICKPEA AND LENTIL CROP AND PRICES UPDATE
19-Aug-2025 09:39 AM
AUSTRALIA DESI CHICKPEA AND LENTIL CROP AND PRICES UPDATE
Chickpeas
★ New-crop chickpeas for November–December delivery at Brisbane port are trading in limited volume at \$755–\$760 per tonne.
★ Forward selling is very low.
★ In Queensland, crops have started flowering and podding, and with favorable weather conditions, harvest is expected to progress well.
★ Crop condition is reported to be very good.
★ With Ramadan beginning in mid-February 2026, strong demand is expected from Bangladesh and Pakistan.
★ Last year, heavy competition among traders pushed record bulk chickpea shipments from four Brisbane terminals by December, but this year exports are likely to move at a steadier pace instead of being rushed mainly into India.
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Lentils
★ Over the past month, lentil prices have dropped by about \$30–\$40/tonne. Currently, old-crop small red lentils are trading at \$730/t (delivered packer) and larger ones at \$790/t.
★ New-crop small reds are at \$690/t (delivered packer), while Jumbo lentils are around \$720/t.
★ The decline is mainly due to expectations of a good harvest in South Australia and Victoria, coupled with rising competition from Canadian lentils.
★ Reports from Canada are mixed: late rains may improve yields for later-setting pods, but could also damage ripe pods.
★ If downgraded Canadian lentils hit the market at a discount, they could become an attractive option for buyers, intensifying competition for Australian exports.
★ With some old-crop stocks still available, Australian farmers are reluctant to commit new-crop sales.
★ Harvest for new lentils is expected to start in about a month.