Canadian Lentil Market Report – January to March 2025

Canadian lentil markets are evolving into spring 2025, with shifting trade dynamics involving India and the U.S., along with updates on planting decisions and pricing trends—here’s a complete summary of the current landscape and what lies ahead.

Substantial Export Numbers, But Higher Supplies Build Pressure From August to November 2024, Canada exported about 0.8 million tonnes of lentils, a 14% increase compared to last year. This was mainly driven by high demand from India, Turkey, and the UAE, with India leading the pack by importing 350,000 tonnes.

The prediction for the full 2024–25 marketing year was that lentil exports would reach 2.1 million tonnes. However, even with higher exports, Canadian supply levels are still larger than last year due to increased production. This means carry-out stocks are projected to be much higher.

Canadian lentils price

What was the price at the beginning of 2025?

As we mentioned, green lentils are more resilient than red lentils. While demand for lentils was strong, Canadian lentil prices have generally declined compared to last year. At Lord Agro, we have published our updated Canadian lentil prices on our website and have traded our products at the UAE port of destination based on the following:

Large Green Lentils (No. 1): Trading around $1,260-$1,310 per tonne
Whole Red Lentils (No. 1): Around $860-$875 per tonne
Split Red Lentils: Priced closer to $1,000 per tonne
In the case of Canadian lentils, the quality of the 2024 crop has been above average, which has reduced the price gap between the higher and lower grades. Overall, in January 2025, green lentil prices increased by $20 and red lentil prices by $25 in Saskatchewan.

After that, as the price of green lentils and red lentils continues to decline slightly, let’s look at the reasons:

• 11% tariff from India on lentil imports
• Increase in production and harvest in the 2024 Canadian lentil crop
• Market slowdown due to the coincidence of Ramadan (a religious month in the Muslim calendar), which was in March—a month of high supply from Canadian farms and factories. Muslim countries experience a slow trade trend during Ramadan and the weeks before.
• Currency fluctuations in some countries
• Changes in import laws, especially for legumes, in countries such as Middle East countries

Now, you can follow our website to access updated prices at the link below:

https://lordagrotrade.com/reports/

Which countries were involved in the trend of the lentil market in the past three months?

Now let’s look at some countries that had a quiet effect on lentil markets:

Canadian Lentil Industry and U.S. Tariff + Market Overview and Impact Analysis

Which countries have been involved in the lentil market trend in the past three months?

Now let’s look at some countries that had a quiet effect on the lentil market

India:

India’s demand helped boost early-season lentil exports, but changes are on the horizon. By February 2025, it became clear that India would not extend its duty-free import window for pulses except through special trade agreements. This may reduce future shipments.

China:

China’s demand for Canadian lentils and peas dropped sharply in 2024. Lentil exports to China fell from 1.58 million tonnes compared to the previous year. The decline is likely due to lower feed demand and increased competition—especially from Russia, which is expanding its pulse trade with India and China.

United States:

As we mentioned, there was talk of a 25% import duty on Canadian pulses entering the U.S. While only a small portion of Canadian lentils go there (about 4%), these comprise a large share of U.S. lentil consumption. If the duty is applied, American buyers might shift toward local farmers. This wouldn’t hurt Canadian prices much but could benefit U.S. lentil growers.

A brief look into the future at the beginning of the year:

As we follow many Canadian sources to collect news and information for trend updates, they mentioned to New Technology in Farming:

A group of companies—Ukko Agro, Hawk’s Agro, and Three Farmers—along with Protein Industries Canada, have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) system to help farmers manage lentil diseases such as anthracnose and Ascochyta blight.

The AI system, called ForeSite, provides disease forecasts up to 14 days in advance, helping farmers decide the best time to apply fungicides. The first phase of this technology will be available in spring 2025 for retailers, agronomists, and farmers across Western Canada.

Despite technological advances in the agricultural industry and the use of artificial intelligence, announced planting decisions for the new year so far indicate that Canada will likely plant slightly more Canadian lentils in the 2025-2026 season – about 1.73 million hectares. But due to the expected normal yield, total production could fall by about 2 per cent to 2.4 million tonnes.

With plenty of leftover stocks, exports are expected to grow a little. However, like this year, high carry-out volumes might keep prices under pressure.

Also, Canadian farmers are facing tough decisions this spring. Based on early forecasts:

• Total planted area for field crops may shrink slightly
• Pulses and special crops (like lentils, chickpeas, peas) could see a 2% decrease
• Farmers are focusing on crop rotation, moisture levels, and market prices before choosing what to plant

 Summary

• Lentil exports for 2024–25 are strong, but the larger supply means more inventory will be left over.
• • In March, prices were slightly lower than in January for green and red lentils.
• • India and Turkey remained strong buyers through March.
• • Possible U.S. tariffs may shift some trade patterns but are unlikely to impact Canadian prices heavily.
• • For 2025–26, planting may increase slightly, but overall production could dip.

Stay tuned for more market updates, or reach out for trade-ready quotes and current pricing on Laird green or red lentils from Canada, shipped globally.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Canadian lentil market, or call for ready-to-trade prices and current Laird green or red lentils from Canada, shipped worldwide.

Lentils Market Review Report No.09, 2025 April (1)