Lentil exports from Australia fell by 20 percent in January

06-Mar-2025 01:04 PM

The article highlights a significant decline in Australian lentil exports in January 2025, which dropped by 20% compared to December 2024. According to data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS), exports fell from 250,655 tonnes in December 2024 to 201,554 tonnes in January 2025.

In January, India was the largest importer of Australian lentils, receiving 99,806 tonnes, followed by Bangladesh (60,749 tonnes) and Sri Lanka (21,847 tonnes).

These three countries remained the top destinations, with smaller quantities shipped to other nations as well.

Over the two-month period of December-January, Australian exports totaled more than 252,000 tonnes, which is a decrease from over 429,000 tonnes exported in the same period the previous year.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has warned that lentil production in Australia may face a sharp decline, leading to reduced exportable stock.

Meanwhile, India is nearing the end of its deadline for duty-free lentil imports, which expires on March 31, 2025. If this deadline is not extended, customs duties will be re-imposed.

The Indian Food Ministry has recommended halting the duty-free import of lentils due to a decrease in prices, which have fallen below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Most of India's lentil imports come from Canada and Australia.

The situation could be further impacted by the arrival of a new domestic lentil crop in India in the coming weeks, which would increase the supply and availability of lentils.

To support farmers, the Indian government has announced plans to purchase the entire marketable quantity of lentils at the MSP, ensuring that they get relief