Lentil production in Canada expected to increase by 8 lakh tonnes

26-Sep-2024 06:42 PM

Ottawa. The Ministry of Agriculture of Canada has estimated the total domestic production of lentils to increase by 8 lakh tonnes to 26 lakh tonnes during the 2024-25 season as compared to 2023-24, as the sowing area increased as well as the yield rate was better.

Harvesting and preparation of lentil crop is almost complete. The province of Saskatchewan is expected to contribute 85 percent and the state of Alberta 15 percent to the total domestic production of lentils.

With the spectacular increase in production, the total availability of lentils in Canada is expected to jump by 35 percent to 28 lakh tonnes, due to which its total export is also expected to increase to 21 lakh tonnes.

After domestic consumption, the total outstanding surplus stock of lentils there can increase rapidly to 4.80 lakh tonnes at the end of the marketing season. But due to ease of supply and availability and challenges in the global market, the average price of lentils is expected to fall to $780 per tonne.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, lentil exports from Canada declined by 25 per cent to 16.50 lakh tonnes in the 2023-24 marketing season.

This included shipment of 10 lakh tonnes of red lentils and 6.50 lakh tonnes of green lentils. Lentil production in the country also reached only 18 lakh tonnes during the 2023-24 season.

Turkey, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were the three major importers of Canadian lentils. The use of lentils in the domestic segment increased slightly to 2.80 lakh tonnes.

The outstanding surplus stock declined to 1.80 lakh tonnes, but the average price of lentils was recorded at $1000 per tonne.

The price of No. 1 category thick green lentils was higher at an average of $787 per tonne than No. 1 lakh lentils.

Although lentil sowing area in America increased by 71 percent to reach 3.80 lakh hectares, the production is estimated to increase only by 66 percent to reach 4.30 lakh tonnes.