Mumbai: Lentil prices witnessed a downward trend during the current week due to continued selling pressure and sluggish demand. Weak demand for lentils resulted in limited purchases by dal millers, failing to provide the expected support to the market. As a result, lentil prices remained volatile throughout the week, and the market remained under pressure. According to the Stats Can report, lentil production in Canada reached 3.36 million tonnes this year, with green lentils showing the most significant increase. Due to the massive production and supply, the price of No. 2 quality green lentils fell to 24-25 cents per pound, No. 1 small green lentils to 21 cents per pound, while red lentils remained stable at 23 cents. Heavy supply from Australia and soft demand in India may force Canadian exporters to lower prices. Lentil production in Australia is projected to increase by 50% and in Canada by 38% in 2025-26, ensuring a strong global supply. In the August-October 2025 quarter, India became the largest importer, importing 56,000 tonnes of lentils from Australia, while shipments also went to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Despite discussions about increased customs duties, imports have not been affected so far.

The increased availability of imported lentils at the ports increased selling pressure from importers, resulting in a decline of ₹100 per quintal in the prices of imported lentils during the current week. At the end of the week, prices were ₹5575/5600 per quintal at Mundra, ₹5700 at Hazira, and ₹5950 for Canadian and ₹6050/6100 for Australian lentils in containers. Similarly, lentil prices in Kolkata also registered a decline of ₹50/75 per quintal this week, with prices at the end of the week being ₹6100 for Australian and ₹6000 for Canadian lentils per quintal.

Due to increased selling by stockists, Delhi witnessed a decline of Rs. 100 per quintal in large lentils and Rs. 200 per quintal in small lentils during the current week.  At the end of the week, prices settled at Rs. 8000/8100 per quintal for small Kota, Rs. 8600 for Bundi, Rs. 8800 for Uttar Pradesh, and Rs. 6650 per quintal for local large lentils.

Due to increased selling by stockists and subdued buying, Madhya Pradesh lentil prices registered a decline of Rs. 150/300 per quintal this week. At the end of the week, prices were Rs. 5800/6000 per quintal in Ashoknagar, Rs. 5800/6300 in Bina, Rs. 5800/6300 in Ganjbasoda, Rs. 5800/6000 in Sagar, Rs. 6000/6500 in Damoh, Rs. 5950/6000 in Indore, Rs. 5365/6070 in Kareli, and Rs. 6350 per quintal in Katni.

Due to subdued buying, prices of small lentils in Uttar Pradesh declined by Rs. 300/400 per quintal and large lentils by Rs. 100/200 per quintal during the current week. At the end of the week, prices were Rs. 9500 per quintal for small lentils in Bareilly, Rs. 6650 for large lentils, Rs. 5800/6000 for large lentils in Lalitpur, Rs. 7500/8100 for small lentils, and Rs. 5300/5800 per quintal in Orai.

Due to the overall decline and weak buying, Bihar lentil prices witnessed a sharp decline of Rs. 500 per quintal this week. At the end of the week, prices were Rs. 6800 per quintal in Barh, Rs. 6700 in Khusrupur, and Rs. 6700 per quintal in Mokama.  Meanwhile, Raipur lentil prices remained unchanged this week, settling at Rs. 6300 per quintal at the end of the week.

Due to the decline in lentil production and sluggish demand, lentil prices witnessed a fall of ₹200-300 per quintal during the current week.  At the end of the week, prices were recorded as follows: Indore ₹7000/7100, Barh ₹7800/8100, Khusrupur ₹7700/8100, Mokama ₹7800/8100, Chandausi ₹9500/10500, and Hyderabad ₹7650 per quintal.