Mumbai. The lentil market witnessed a downward trend during the current week. Increased selling at higher prices and weak buying pressures kept lentil prices under pressure. Due to sluggish offtake, lentil millers' purchases were limited, which failed to support prices. Meanwhile, positive signs have emerged from the production front. Lentil sowing is progressing faster this year than last year. As of November 14, lentil sowing across the country was recorded at 6.83 lakh hectares, an increase of 0.75 lakh hectares compared to the same period last year. Increased sowing is expected to increase future supply, which is also impacting current prices.

Lentil prices in Canada are stable or fluctuating slightly due to weak global demand and increasing competition from Russia and Kazakhstan, including Australia. Increased production in Canada, Australia, and the Black Sea region is expected to increase this year, which is creating supply pressure. Turkey—Canada's second-largest buyer after India—is prioritizing imports from Kazakhstan this time, which could impact Canada's sales. Canada-Australia's combined lentil production is estimated to exceed 3.5 million tons, exceeding global demand. Consequently, a sharp increase in prices is unlikely. Imports into India are limited, and domestic sowing is progressing rapidly, while the 10% import duty is also showing little significant impact.

Due to continued selling by importers and sluggish demand, imported lentil prices declined by ₹25/50 per quintal during the current week, closing the week at ₹5800/5825 for Mundra, ₹5875/5900 for Hazira, ₹6050/6100 for container Canada, and ₹6100/6150 for Australia. Similarly, Kolkata lentil prices also increased by Rs 50 per quintal this week and the price remained at Rs 6300 per quintal at Australia during the weekend.

Due to the fall in port prices and weakening demand, during the current week, the price of large lentil in Delhi and small lentil declined by Rs 50 and Rs 125 per quintal respectively and the price of small quota remained at Rs 8250/8300, Bundi Rs 8650/8700, Uttar Pradesh Rs 8850/8900 and Desi large Rs 6875 per quintal at the weekend.

Due to weak buying, Madhya Pradesh lentil prices declined by Rs 50/100 per quintal this week, and at the weekend, prices were Rs 6000/6250 for Ashoknagar, Rs 6000/6250 for Bina, Rs 6200/6600 for Ganjbasoda, Rs 6000/6700 for Sagar, Rs 5800/6200 for Damoh, Rs 6100/6500 for Indore, Rs 6050 for Kareli, Rs 4451/6571 for Kareli, and Rs 6700/6725 per quintal for Katni.

Due to sluggish buying and selling, there was no increase or decrease in the prices of small lentils in Uttar Pradesh during the current week, and at the weekend, prices remained at Rs 9500 for Bareilly small, Rs 7000 for thick, Rs 5900/6300 for Lalitpur thick, Rs 8000/8300 for small and Rs 5600/6050 for Orai.

Due to the decline in lentil prices and sluggish demand, lentil prices fell by ₹100/₹200 per quintal during the current week, reaching ₹7,500 in Indore, ₹8,600/₹8,800 in Barh, ₹8,500/₹8,700 in Khusrupur, ₹8,600/₹8,700 in Mokama, ₹9,500/₹10,500 in Chandausi, and ₹7,700 per quintal at Hyderabad.