The current crop report for Canada, released in October 2024

AAFC has provided an updated forecast for Canada’s crop years 2023-24 and 2024-25, which includes data up to October 15, 2025. The outlook is more optimistic, with the Canadian lentil market also playing a significant role in these projections. Most crop years in Canada start on August 1 and finish on July 31.

Summary of the 2023-24 Crop Year

As of October 8, 2024, AAFC released final projections for all crops for the 2023–24 season, taking into account new data from Statistics Canada, most notably on supplies of soybeans and corn.

The impact of drought in Western Canada on major crops yields led to a 5.7% decrease in total production compared to the previous year. In spite of this, the total crop supply decreased by only 2.4% as a result of higher imports and beginning stocks. Despite exports falling by 6.6%, the decline in key crops resulted in a 2.9% decrease in end stocks, with domestic demand rising by 2.0%. Except for pulses, prices were lower for the most important crops this year.

Outlook for the Canadian lentil market for 2024-25.

Statistics Canada’s crop production estimates for the years 2024-25 are based on data as of late August, while AAFC’s projections are grounded in these figures. Overall, key crop production is expected to rise by 1.8% from the previous year and increase by 2.4% from last year compared to all other five-year averages, with Western Canada leading the way with higher yields. Harvest is almost complete in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with Manitoba coming next. What’s the catch of the day? Early data from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) indicates that the quality of this year’s Western Canada harvest is mostly satisfactory. Eastern Canada is currently pursuing soybean harvest, while corn has already begun growing.

Suggested report : Lentils Market Review in 2024

Lentil market summary

2023-24: During this season, the net sales of Canadian lentils decreased by 24% to 1.67 million tons (Mt), compared to last year. This included 1.07 Mt of red lentils and 0.6 Mt of green lentils. The largest purchasers of green lentils are Turkey, India, the UAE, and the EU. Domestic use increased to 0.27 Mt. The final stocks of Mount came down to 0.165 Mt. Average prices for Canadian lentils rose by 22% from last year, reaching a record high of $1,000 per ton, previous year’s average.

2024-25: 0.8 Mt is expected to increase in lentil production in Western Canada with higher yields and more acres planted during the season, reaching 2.6 Mt, especially in the production of large green lentils. It is estimated that red lentils can be produced at a rate of approximately 1.6 Mt. The forecast indicates that exports will surge to 2.1 Mt. The biggest markets are likely to be India, the UAE, the EU, and Turkey. Estimates suggest that domestic use will decrease, and ending stocks are anticipated to rise. The cost of lentils is projected to slightly decrease for green lentil and red lentil varieties.

In terms of the lentil market in Canada, the report indicates that the year has been a mixed bag, with slightly declining prices for the season and higher production forecasts.

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/sector/crops/reports-statistics/canada-outlook-principal-field-crops-2024-10-21

A survey of lentil trade in other nations

Despite the drought in 2023-2024, lentils remain pricey in the global market. Australia’s lentil exports experienced a decline as the harvest approached this week, leading to reversing global prices. Green lentil prices are being affected by the price differences in their local markets, which consumers can easily identify. In August, Turkey’s lentil imports saw a huge increase from the previous month, according to the

Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). Turkey imported 89,004 metric tons (MT) of lentils, a 676% rise from July. So far this year, Turkey has imported 349,369 MT, though this is lower than the 671,751 MT imported by this time last year. Canada was Turkey’s top supplier, providing 65,343 MT, followed by Russia with 10,948 MT and Ukraine with 7,663 MT.

Turkey’s lentil exports also rose slightly in August, reaching 44,386 MT—an 8% increase from July’s 41,185 MT. Year-to-date exports stood at 417,458 MT, up from 346,155 MT during the same period last year. In August, Iraq was the main buyer, taking 13,977 MT, followed by Sudan with 10,215 MT and Algeria with 2,522 MT. Global lentil production has grown by 36% over last year, totaling 1.462 million MT. While global trade is expected to rise, leftover stocks of green lentils might more than double to 311,000 MT after the 2024 harvest.

Overall, the Canadian lentil market closed the week on a slightly stronger note. Exporters and importers are focused on meeting immediate shipping needs, and many buyers are surprised that the expected price drops for green lentils haven’t yet happened.

https://www.statpub.com/index.php/marketnews

At Lord’s company, our commercial experts report the following:

Considering all the fluctuations in the pulses market, particularly lentils, we observed a sudden increase on October 10, with prices rising by approximately $40 to $50 for Green Laird lentils #1 at Jebel Ali port. As a result, the price of large green lentils reached about $1,350 per ton in the mentioned delivery port. This prompted some companies to attempt to reduce their prices to $1,330-$1,340 per metric ton for Laird #1/JB port, disregarding their profit margins.

In the first week of November, we saw that the price remained stable in the range of $1320-$1330 for Jebel Ali port, except for small green lentils Eston #2, which had an increase in price. Currently, market prices display a very slight decrease in the price of pulses; however, prices in the Asian and African markets are expected to rise due to increased demand, especially in Asian and Muslim countries, in anticipation of the upcoming festive months.

In the coming months, we will need to see how much the price will increase or decrease!!

PDF: Lentils Market Review Report. 04, 2024 November