Lentil production in Australia estimated to remain stable at 16 lakh tonnes

26-Jul-2024 05:26 PM

Canberra. Government organisation ABARES has estimated the area under lentil cultivation in Australia to increase by 4% to 8.85 lakh hectares in comparison to last year during the current year, but has expressed the possibility of total production being 16 lakh tonnes which is almost equal to last year.

The condition of the crop improved a lot due to good rains in the month of June in two major lentil producing states- Victoria and South Australia.

But in some areas, the germination of seeds took place after the normal time. The drought crisis ended due to heavy rains in the south-eastern part of South Australia province and the condition of the crop is seen to be better despite less rains in the Murray-Mallee region.

Good rains will be required in August for the yield rate because then the heat in the weather will start increasing.

The latest report of the Department of Primary Industries (PIRSA) of the province of South Australia states that the lentil sowing area in the state has increased to a record level of over 3.32 lakh hectares,

while the total production of this important pulse is expected to jump 41 percent to a peak of 5.11 lakh tonnes as compared to 2023. But for this, it is necessary for the weather to remain favorable in August-September.

More than 1 million tonnes of lentils have been exported from Australia in the 2023-24 marketing season. An average of one lakh tonnes is being shipped per month.

By October, the total exports can reach 15 lakh tonnes, leaving only 50 thousand tonnes of surplus lentil stock at the end of the current marketing season.

During the last one month, the price of lentils in Australia has fallen by 100 Australian dollars (66 US dollars) per tonne because the purchase of old goods is not happening properly and the scenario of the next crop looks better.

The condition of the crop is also good in Canada. The price of coarse material is currently being reported to be around 980-990 dollars (Australian) per tonne.