News Capsule: Australia’s Chickpea Exports Decline, Lentil Exports Surge
04-Sep-2026 10:33 AM
News Capsule: Australia’s Chickpea Exports Decline, Lentil Exports Surge
★ Australia exported 41,612 tonnes of chickpeas and 175,000 tonnes of lentils in July. Compared with June, chickpea exports fell 27%, while lentil exports increased more than sixfold.
★ India was the largest buyer of Australian chickpeas in July, importing 35,997 tonnes. Nepal bought 2,431 tonnes and the UK 1,139 tonnes.
★ For lentils, India was the biggest buyer at 78,228 tonnes, followed by Bangladesh at 65,732 tonnes and Pakistan at 23,522 tonnes.
★ Australia’s new-crop chickpea harvest has started in Central Queensland. However, lower rainfall and reduced acreage are expected to significantly cut chickpea production this year.
★ ABARES has lowered its 2026-27 chickpea production forecast to 1.05 million tonnes, compared with 2.19 million tonnes in 2025-26.
★ In contrast, lentil production is expected to reach a second consecutive record of 2.25 million tonnes in 2026-27. Lentil harvesting is likely to begin in November.