News Capsule: Australia Eyes Record Lentil Crop as Rising Global Supplies Weigh on Prices
27-Jul-2026 03:08 PM
News Capsule: Australia Eyes Record Lentil Crop as Rising Global Supplies Weigh on Prices
★ Australia is expected to harvest a record lentil crop this season, supported by favourable growing conditions and strong early crop development. However, global lentil prices remain under pressure as Australia and Canada are both heading for consecutive large harvests, resulting in abundant global supplies.
★ Low prices have discouraged Australian growers from making forward sales of the new lentil crop, while uncertainty over chickpea production has also delayed new-crop trading.
★ Old-crop lentils have remained steady at around A$630 per tonne delivered port over the past month, while the new-crop market is developing at approximately A$600 per tonne.
★ Despite expectations of record yields, growers are reluctant to commit to forward sales because current new-crop prices are considered unattractive.
★ Canada's new lentil crop is expected to enter the market next month, with export volumes likely to increase significantly during September. Canada also continues to hold sizeable old-crop stocks, while Australia is on track for a record harvest. The combination of these supplies is expected to keep downward pressure on global lentil prices.
★ At present, limited spot buying from India is providing some support to the market.
★ Crop conditions remain highly favourable across the major lentil-growing regions of Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria, with yield prospects described as excellent.
★ Market sources also indicate that the final bulk cargoes of the season have been shipped from South Australian ports this month, with most of the state's old-crop lentil stocks now sold out.