Lentil production in Australia expected to decline by 26 percent

04-Mar-2025 06:49 PM

Australia's lentil production is facing a significant decline of 26% in 2024-25, primarily due to hot and dry weather in the southern states, which has negatively impacted the crop.

Despite an increase in sowing area, the yield has been significantly reduced, with total production expected to fall from 15.67 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 11.67 lakh tonnes in the upcoming season.

In particular, South Australia, a major lentil-growing region, is expected to see a 27% drop in production, despite a 21% increase in sowing area.

This decline is attributed to adverse weather conditions and lower grain quality. Similarly, Victoria's lentil production is projected to drop by 31%, even though there was a 13% increase in the sowing area.

This decline comes at a time when Australia remains one of the world's top exporters of lentils, second only to Canada, with India being its largest buyer.

However, Australia's decreasing exportable stock may affect global supply. Meanwhile, India’s domestic production is expected to increase soon,

and the Indian government has set a minimum support price of Rs 6700 per quintal for lentils, although market prices have dropped below this level in many places.

In summary, while sowing areas have expanded, unfavorable weather conditions have led to significant reductions in Australia's lentil yield, affecting both the domestic market and export outlook