Pressure on Red Lentil Market Due to Large Carryover Stocks

08-Jun-2026 03:50 PM

Vancouver. Last week, red lentil prices in the international market remained largely stable, though they softened in some areas. Market interest is now shifting toward the new crop, which is expected to arrive from countries like Canada and the US starting in August.

Demand for old-crop supplies has waned, even as substantial carryover stocks remain in Canada, leaving producers with only about two months to sell the remaining inventory.

Sowing of lentils was delayed in these major North American producing nations, and the pace has remained sluggish. This has raised some concerns regarding the yield and quality of the upcoming crop. However, early indications suggest that in areas where sowing has been completed, the crop condition is good.

In Saskatchewan, Canada's leading agricultural province, lentil sowing has reached its final stage; 95 percent of the sown area reports crop conditions ranging from good to very good or promising. The favorable situation in Australia is also exerting a psychological impact on the red lentil market.

The Australian government agency ABARES has projected a 2 percent increase in the lentil sowing area and anticipates total production rising by 3 percent to reach a record high of 2.2 million tonnes.