Production
- Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of lentils, selling to 80–100 countries annually. Approximately 90% of Canadian lentils are produced in Saskatchewan. The seeded area typically comprises 68% red varieties, 22% large greens, 8% small greens, and 2% other varieties.
- Over the past 20 years, the global area of lentils has expanded over 50%, with production up 120%. Meanwhile, the value of production has risen 350% over that timeframe.
Trade
- From 2019-2023, Canadian lentil exports have averaged 2.1 million tonnes. India is the largest market, followed by Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Canadian red lentil exports are generally destined for a few main buyers (India, Türkiye, Bangladesh, and the UAE). In contrast, green lentil exports move to various destinations, including India, Algeria, and Morocco (small greens) and Colombia and Spain (large greens).
- Australia is the largest export competitor for red lentils, and the United States (U.S.) for green lentils. Türkiye is both a large importer and exporter of lentils, particularly reds. In recent years, Kazakhstan and Russia have emerged as more prominent players in the export trade for red and green lentils.
Processing & Uses
- Lentils are expected to remain essential to Canadian farmers’ crop rotations with agronomic and financial benefits. Global consumption and production have been rising, and lentils are being incorporated into more food products in North America, expanding the market potential.
- Green lentils are generally consumed whole, canned, or dry packaged. Red lentils are typically used in split or football forms and cooked into various dishes.
Market Opportunities
- Canadian farmers have benefited from the significant expansion in global lentil trade, with lentils providing an opportunity to diversify from cereal grains and oilseeds. Lentil prices in Canada vary annually, but in most years, gross margins for lentils rank high compared to other crops.
- Green lentil demand is not elastic, meaning consumption does not increase significantly when supplies are ample and prices are low. On the other hand, when supplies are short, consumption remains steady even when prices rise. For red lentils, the demand is more variable depending on prices. Demand for Canadian lentils is typically the strongest post-harvest through December, with another bump in demand in spring (May).