Australia's export of gram and lentils improves

23-Jan-2025 12:58 PM

It looks like Australia's pulse export industry is seeing a strong uptick in shipments, particularly of gram, lentils, and faba beans.

The export of these pulses has been picking up pace, and the figures are impressive. As of early 2025, over 10 lakh tonnes of gram are expected to be shipped, which is more than half of the total predicted production for the season.

Similarly, lentil exports are seeing a significant rise, with 3 lakh tonnes expected to be shipped in just the first four months, almost a third of the total production estimate.

The steady demand, particularly from South Asia and the Middle East, seems to be driving these numbers.

What’s interesting is the shift in shipping patterns, with more gram and lentils being sent through Melbourne Port's Emerald Terminal, traditionally known for wheat, barley, and canola exports. There’s even a new route for gram exports to Sri Lanka via Kembla Port, expanding the scope of Australia's pulse trade.

Given the increased demand leading into Ramadan, especially in Muslim-majority countries like the UAE, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh,

it seems that Australia's pulse exports are poised for a strong start to 2025. Do you think this trend will continue into the latter half of the year, or is it driven mostly by seasonal factors?