Global Lentil Market 2024: Rising Production in Canada & Russia, Price Trends, and Market Challenges

As the global demand for plant-based proteins continues to grow, the market for pulses, particularly green lentils, has become increasingly dynamic. In 2024, major lentil producers like Canada and Russia are driving significant market shifts, while key importing countries like India and Turkey continue to demand a steady supply. This article provides a comprehensive update on green lentil production, key export and import trends, harvest quality, and price forecasts, with a special focus on the UAE market through Momex, a UAE-based maritime platform that plays a crucial role in optimizing global trade for agricultural products.

Green Lentil Production Overview for 2024

Canada

• Production: Canada remains the world’s largest producer of green lentils, with a projected production of 900,000 tonnes in 2024, up from 565,000 tonnes in the previous year. Despite a dry growing season late in the year, the quality of Canadian green lentils is reported to be excellent.
   
• Harvest Time: August to September.
   
• Challenges: While Canada’s lentil production has increased by 44%, this surplus supply has led to downward pressure on prices, particularly for green lentils. Analysts predict that prices could fall further due to higher-than-expected yields.

Russia

• Production: Russia is ramping up its production and exports of green lentils, with 55-60% of the lentils harvested in 2024 being green. Russia's growing influence in the global market is reinforced by its early harvest season, which allows it to fill supply gaps in markets like India and Turkey.

• Harvest Time: August to September.
   
• Challenges: Russian green lentils have faced quality concerns, including wrinkling and staining, due to irregular rainfall during the growing season.

Key Exporters and Importers of Green Lentils

Exporters

1. Canada: A top global exporter, Canada supplies green lentils to key markets such as India, Bangladesh, and Egypt.

2. Russia: Russia is gaining ground as a major exporter, with shipments reaching India, Turkey, and the Middle East. In 2024, Russia exported over 545,000 tonnes of lentils, a 23-fold increase from the previous year.
    
3. Turkey: Although Turkey’s primary focus has been on red lentils, it also exports green lentils, especially through its transit business, where lentils are processed and re-exported.

Importers

1. India: India remains the largest importer of green lentils, although 2024 saw a reduction in imports to 1.15 million tonnes, down from 1.68 million tonnes in 2023. This decline is attributed to higher domestic production and stockpiling of lentils by the Indian government.

2. Bangladesh: A key market for both Canadian and Australian lentils, Bangladesh continues to import significant quantities of green lentils to meet domestic demand.
    
3. Egypt: Egypt, traditionally reliant on containerized imports, has shifted to bulk shipments due to security concerns in the Red Sea.
    

Harvest Quality and Market Trends

2024 has seen mixed results in lentil quality and yield:

• Canada: Despite late-season dry weather, the overall quality of green lentils remains high, leading to strong export potential. However, surplus production is driving prices downward.
   
• Russia: The quality of Russian green lentils has been inconsistent due to adverse weather, but Russia’s early harvest gives it a competitive edge in international markets.
   
• Turkey: While Turkey is more focused on red lentils, it plays a crucial role as a processing hub for green lentils. Turkish processing and re-exporting activities continue to strengthen the country’s role in global lentil trade.

Price Trends for Green Lentils

In 2024, green lentil prices are under significant downward pressure:

• Canada: Prices for green lentils have dropped sharply due to oversupply. Experts predict further declines as supply outstrips demand in both Canada and the U.S..
   
• Russia: Despite quality concerns, Russia’s early harvest helps maintain steady prices, particularly in markets like India.
   
• Turkey: Turkish lentil prices have increased by 5% due to strong domestic demand and robust export activities.

For buyers in the UAE, the current drop in prices presents a favorable opportunity to purchase green lentils, especially through platforms like Momex, which offers secure and timely supply chain management for international lentil trades.

key points to consider:

Increased Global Production: Canada, a major lentil producer, is expecting a 44% increase in lentil production this year, which should help balance out supply despite weather issues affecting other regions like Australia. Canada's green lentil crop is significant, contributing to downward price pressure .

 Turkish Efforts and Global Trade: Turkey is actively increasing its production and export of lentils, aiming to strengthen its position in global markets . This should also contribute to stable supply in the Middle East and UAE, where Turkey plays a significant role.

Australia’s Production Challenges: Although Australia is facing production issues due to frost and dry weather, its lentil exports remain robust, and some regions are still producing decent yields .

Demand and Stock Levels: Global demand for pulses like lentils is increasing due to their role in plant-based food products, but stock levels in major importing markets such as India remain sufficient . Russia and Kazakhstan are also stepping up exports to meet global demand .

FAQs

1. Where are green lentils mainly produced?
Green lentils are primarily produced in Canada, Russia, and Turkey. Canada remains the world’s largest producer, followed by Russia, which is expanding its share in the market.

2. When is the green lentil harvest season?
Green lentils are typically harvested from August to September, with Canada and Russia being the largest producers during this period.

3. Which countries are the largest importers of green lentils?
The largest importers of green lentils are India, Bangladesh, and Egypt, with India accounting for the majority of global imports despite reduced demand in 2024.

4. What are the current price trends for green lentils?
Prices for green lentils have dropped significantly in 2024 due to oversupply from Canada and the U.S. However, Russia's early harvest has helped maintain steady prices in markets like India.

5. How does Momex support the trade of green lentils in the UAE?
Momex provides end-to-end supply chain management, real-time cargo tracking, and a network of verified suppliers, ensuring that buyers in the UAE receive high-quality green lentils at competitive prices.