Lentil area in Canada likely to decline by 10 percent

20-Feb-2026 12:12 PM

Saskatoon. Given that producers are expected to receive lower revenues from lentils compared to other commodities, Canada's Ministry of Agriculture has projected a 10 percent decrease in the area planted for this important pulse to 1.6 million hectares in 2026 compared to 2025.

Sowing of this pulse is scheduled to begin in Canada this coming April. According to the Ministry, the average yield rate of lentils increased significantly in the 2025-26 season, significantly boosting yields. However, productivity rates are expected to remain normal in the 2026-27 season, potentially leading to a sharp decline of approximately 33 percent in total lentil production.

Despite the significant decline in production, due to extremely high outstanding stocks, total lentil availability in Canada is expected to increase to 4.02 million tonnes in the 2026-27 marketing season (August-July).

Of this, approximately 2.2 million tons are expected to be exported, and the outstanding stock is expected to be somewhat lower at the end of the marketing season. Overall, prices may remain slightly higher in the 2026-27 season compared to the 2025-26 season, but a significant increase is not expected.

Lentil stocks will be somewhat lower at the end of the 2026-27 season, but they will still be sufficient to put pressure on the market. Additionally, lentil production in countries such as Australia, India, Turkey, Russia, and Kazakhstan will also impact the market, and this is important to consider.