News Capsule: Lentil Market: Domestic Prices Improve, But Large Exporter Stocks May Limit Further Gains
29-May-2026 12:09 PM
News Capsule: Lentil Market: Domestic Prices Improve, But Large Exporter Stocks May Limit Further Gains
★ India's lentil market has shown some improvement compared with April, although trends remain mixed across different regions. Rising prices of other pulse crops have provided support to lentils, but large inventories held in Canada and Australia could limit the extent of any major rally.
★ In Bareilly, prices for large-sized lentils averaged around Rs 6,750 per quintal in April 2026 and have increased to about Rs 6,850 per quintal currently. This suggests some improvement in demand across northern India, with strength in other pulse markets also supporting lentil values.
★ In contrast, imported Canadian and Australian lentils in Mumbai have weakened by around Rs 50 per quintal from April levels and are currently trading near Rs 6,150 per quintal. Adequate availability of imported supplies continues to pressure prices in port-based markets.
★ International markets have remained relatively stable. Canadian Crimson lentils for June-July shipment to India are quoted at around USD 610 per tonne, while Australian Nipper lentils are trading near USD 580 per tonne. This indicates that the global lentil market remains broadly balanced.
★ On the import front, India imported 1.146 million tonnes of lentils during FY 2025-26 (April-March), slightly lower than the 1.22 million tonnes imported in the previous year. While imports have declined, the reduction has not been significant enough to create supply concerns.
★ Domestic production, meanwhile, has improved. According to the third advance estimate, India's lentil crop for 2025-26 is projected at 1.76 million tonnes, up from approximately 1.65 million tonnes in the previous year. The larger crop should help maintain comfortable domestic availability.
★ Looking ahead, the lentil market will be influenced by two key factors. On one hand, strength in chickpea, pigeon pea, and urad prices could continue to support lentils. On the other hand, large inventories in Canada and Australia, along with exporters waiting for higher Indian prices before selling aggressively, may restrict the pace of any rally.
★ Overall, the lentil market currently maintains a stable-to-firm undertone. However, abundant stocks in major exporting countries are likely to keep prices under control. If other pulse markets continue to strengthen, lentils may receive additional support, but the potential for a sharp price surge appears limited under current supply conditions.