Lentil prices are expected to lower as a result of plentiful world supplies, experts say.
Centre State Exports grower services manager Paul Lange said lentil prices were attracting nearly $600 a tonne, which was above average but lower than recent prices.
“We are coming off the back of a significant shortage of lentils, which has mainly been driven by the Indian market. World supply of lentils has improved in the past 12 months but not to the point that there is an abundant supply,” he said.
“Crop conditions in Australia, United States and Canada are being monitored closely, as well as the Indian monsoon, which will affect the size of their next crop.
“The lentil growing regions in the US and parts of Canada have suffered less than ideal conditions recently as we have here.”
Mr Lange estimated up to 180,000 hectares of lentils were sown in SA this year, producing about 200,000t.
PIRSA estimated 169,600ha of lentils were sown in SA last year and produced about 447,680t.
Pulse SA chairman Sam Holmes, Maitland, said most of the country’s lentils went to the middle east.
“The lentils produced out of Australia are lower in moisture content and generally are of better quality compared with Canada, which is the world’s biggest exporter of lentils,” he said.
“The lower moisture content allows processors to have more control and consistency in splitting the lentils for the market.”
