Lentil Trade Slows in Canada on Hopes of Better Production
28-Aug-2025 03:31 PM
Vancouver. In both the top producing provinces of the Prairies division in Western Canada- Saskatchewan and Alberta, the preparation for harvesting of the new lentil crop has started gaining momentum and with the increasing arrivals in the markets, the trade has started slowing down.
As a result, it has become difficult to make any definite estimate about its demand and price in the coming time. The yield rate of the early harvested crop is seen to be normal average or above, due to which a good increase in the total production is being estimated. In view of this, the buyers have become calm and lethargic.
Their activity in buying lentils has decreased. At some places, the buyers have even postponed their purchase plans because they expect the price of this important pulse to soften further in the coming time.
According to knowledgeable sources, the quality of lentils harvested so far is quite good, but there is a possibility of quality being affected due to late season rains in many areas. In such areas, preparation for harvesting will also be delayed because the fields are filled with water.
The price of lentils in Saskatchewan's mandis remains unstable and it keeps changing every two-three hours, so it is becoming difficult to guess the prices.
Seeing the unstable market, buyers and sellers have become cautious, so the business is very low. As per the general indication, the price of thick green lentils of number 2 quality has come down to 27 cents per pound and the price of small green lentils of number 1 grade has come down to around 25 cents per pound. Similarly, the price of number 2 grade red lentils has come down to 24-25 cents per pound.
Trade analysts say that the producers who are willing to sell their lentil stock should try to sell it as soon as possible because uncertainty may increase in the market in the coming time.
New lentils have started arriving in Russia, while they will start arriving in Australia in the last week of September or the first week of October.
Then the challenge for Canada will increase in the global market. Better lentil production is expected in Australia and Russia, which may increase pressure on prices.