Global Market Prices for Lentils Expected to See Some Recovery

30-Mar-2026 01:56 PM

Mumbai: Currently, a mixed trend is being observed in international lentil prices. Over the past week, the price of green lentils remained largely stable, while a slight softening was recorded in the prices of red lentils. In fact, during the previous season, global lentil production surged rapidly to reach a new record high of 6.63 million tonnes;

this not only significantly eased the supply and availability situation but also led to an increase in carryover stocks. The influx of fresh arrivals, combined with existing old stocks, is currently exerting downward pressure on lentil prices.

Producers in several countries—including Australia—have begun to hesitate in selling their lentil stocks at current price levels, as they do not find the prevailing rates to be attractive. Should supplies tighten in the global market, the likelihood of a recovery in lentil prices is expected to increase in the near future.

In India, the harvesting and preparation of the new lentil crop have commenced, and arrivals have already begun in the wholesale markets (mandis); consequently, prices have dropped below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹7,000 per quintal, as announced by the Central Government.

Meanwhile, in countries such as Canada, Australia, the USA, Russia, and Kazakhstan, the harvesting of the previous crop concluded some time ago, and preparations for sowing the new crop are now underway.