Improved Australian outlook pressures Canadian lentil market

13-Nov-2025 03:49 PM

Saskatoon. Lentil production in Australia is projected to rise sharply to a new record level in the current 2025-26 marketing season (October-September), which will quickly increase the supply and availability of this important pulse in the global market.

Meanwhile, Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan have also seen strong lentil production. This is expected to lead to fierce competition between these countries in the international export market. India, the largest lentil importer, imposes a 10 percent customs duty on this important pulse.

Harvesting preparations for the new lentil crop have already been completed in Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan, while the process is still underway in Australia.

Meanwhile, lentil sowing in India began last month and is still ongoing. Lentil acreage is slightly ahead of last year's.

Lentil prices have remained relatively stable with limited trading in markets in Western Canada, especially in Saskatchewan.

The FOB farm price of large green lentils is 28 cents per pound for December-January shipments. Recently, the price for delivery at one plant reached 30 cents per pound, but later the market returned to normal levels.

Some buyer interest is currently being seen in purchasing light quality large green lentils. The price of its Extra No. 3 grade is around 22 cents per pound, and the price of normal No. 3 quality is 19-20 cents per pound.

There is negligible interest in purchasing light quality small green lentils. The delivery price of red lentils remains stable around 23 cents per pound.