Lentil Prices – Historical Graph
- The average price in the past 3 days is
- The average price in the past 7 days is
- The average price in the past 30 days is
- The average price in the past 365 days is
Popular questions about lentil prices:
Lentil Prices Explained
Lentil price fluctuation stems from the increasing demand for plant-based diets, the increasing focus on personal health and wellness, and the emerging culinary trends across the globe.
Generally, lentil is focused in Asia, particularly in India however, its market is growing due to the increasing production and consumption of lentils in Canada. Additionally, the surging demand for high-protein legumes in the U.S., and Australia will provide robust trade of this commodity, leading to lentil price variations.
Why are lentil prices fluctuating?
1. Weather Conditions and Other Factors
Lentil is a cool season crop that is sensitive to changing weather systems. A temperature higher than 30 degrees will significantly affect the plant, particularly on a flowering stage.
For instance, the rising global temperature reduced Nepal into a lentil importer. The country was once an exporter of this commodity but due to the warmer and wetter weather conditions, its local farmers switched to planting wheat and vegetables. Similarly, the unprecedented weather in India lessened the country’s output. Additionally, the country’s lentil imports from Canada experienced a slowdown due to diplomatic issues.
2. Production Costs
Labor, fertilizers, and seeds take up a big chunk of lentils production cost. As a result, price increases for these inputs have the potential to reduce income, particularly if the outcome does not make the investment profitable.
In response to increased production costs, farmers need to increase lentil prices to cover expenses and secure profits, while reduced production costs offer the flexibility to maintain profitability through lower pricing.
3. Import and Export
Lentils exports increased significantly from $1 billion to $2.6 billion globally, with the majority of the increase coming from Australia and Canada.
While there’s a decline in shipments, the commodity’s supply chain remains resilient amidst production and frequent tax import changes. Overall, these ongoing tariff reductions will foster continued growth in exports, influencing lentil price fluctuations.
Which variables impact the price of lentils?
- Weather Conditions
- Production Costs
- Import and Export
- Supply and Demand
- Government Policies
- Global Market
Where does lentil come from?
Lentil is a type of legume that grows in pods in distinctive lens-shaped seeds. There are several kinds of lentils, with distinct tastes and textures, such as brown, green, red, and black. Additionally, these diverse types of lentils offer a range of characteristics to culinary applications. Some varieties include:
1. Brown Lentils – The most commonly used variety has a mild and earthy flavor. Additionally, it keeps its shape well after cooking, which makes it a good fit for salads, stews, and soups.
2. Red Lentils – This kind is moderately sweet and easy to cook. Also, it’s common in stews and soups, particularly in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking.
3. Green Lentils – It has a robust peppery flavor, perfect for side dishes and salads.
4. Black Lentils – This type has a rich and earthy flavor which is extensively utilized in Indian salads.
5. Laird Lentils – This large and green Canadian lentil thrives well across Canada. Also, it’s popular for its subtle flavor which is appropriate for various recipes.
What are the uses of lentils?
Lentils are an excellent food source because they are full of protein and carbohydrates. Additionally, they are used making in soups, salads, stews, dips, casseroles, and vegetarian dishes. This shows how versatile they are in both culinary applications. Here are a few potential industrial uses of this commodity:
1. Starch Extraction – Lentils are starchy and their starch has several industrial uses, especially in the production of starch-based goods like adhesives and thickeners.
2. Protein Isolation – It serves as a valuable source of plant-based protein as it’s used to make supplements or plant-based protein substitutes.
3. Animal Feed – Lentil by-products are added to animal feed formulations to improve the feed’s nutritional value.
What is the future price of lentils?
The widespread consumption of lentils, fueled by their cost-effectiveness and high nutritional value contributes significantly to market growth. Additionally, its increasing application in various culinary traditions across the world drives its market expansion.
For instance, the incorporation of lentils in snacks, bakery products, and ready-to-eat meals supports the changing consumer preferences for convenience without compromising nutrition. Also, the increasing demand for lentil flour from gluten-free manufacturing companies exhibits a potential segmented market.
Furthermore, Columbia Grains International cited lentils as a climate-friendly crop that has a big role in sustainable agriculture. It fixes nitrogen in the soil for the next crop cycle, reducing the use of fertilizer. Additionally, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and stores carbon (up to 30%) in the soil than most other plants.
This research prompted the Canadian and Indian governments to introduce supportive measures to promote lentil cultivation and reduce reliance on imports, boosting their local lentil prices.
Overall, the price of lentils will be $2.25 per kilogram in 2028 and its market size will reach $26.7 million by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.96% during the forecast period.