​Lentil Outlook

Marlene Boersch provided the lentil market update.

• Alberta grows about 13% of Canada's lentils and is trending upwards.
• Lentil yields are trending down over the last 10 years,

• Canada market share of lentils to our main buyers is dropping, from 80% ish to 40%ish due to other exporting countries
• Everyone getting trade agreements but Canada
• Short term pet food market paying up for reds vs exporting, but then Australia coming on and fills in export competition putting pressure on prices.
• Red lentil stable market going forward this year
  • Hand to mouth markets – (non india) all pipelines are low to 0, so that will use up some supplies filling the pipeline.
  • Australian farmers sell faster off combine, Canada holds and sells later sometimes so buyers go to the ones selling fast.
• Nothing oversupplied even though multi origins now at play competing with Canada
• Indian pigeon pea crop can be 50% more this season so may need less green lentils

Trade feels growers are 20-25% sold in lentils.