India’s Masoor Market Strengthens as Domestic Supplies Tighten
India’s masoor market is gaining strength as domestic production remains below consumption, old stocks decline and imported lentils become more expensive. The country faces a structural supply gap of around 1.1–1.2 million tonnes, keeping it dependent on imports, mainly from Canada and Australia.
Domestic production is estimated at 1.8–1.9 million tonnes, compared with consumption of nearly 3 million tonnes. With carryover stocks largely exhausted, Indian prices are becoming increasingly sensitive to changes in import costs.
Arrivals across major Madhya Pradesh markets, including Mungawali Ganj, Basoda, Sagar, Bhopal and Binaganj, are running at about half last year’s levels. Farmers have already sold a significant portion of their crop, reducing supplies available later in the season. This has helped keep mandi prices firm even though demand has not seen a major seasonal boost.
Canadian lentils are also adding to the cost pressure. Export values have increased by around USD 20–25 per tonne in recent weeks, while a weaker Indian rupee has further raised the landed cost of imports. As a result, Canadian supplies are providing a higher price floor for the Indian market.
Canadian FOB prices, however, have remained broadly stable in euro terms. Red football lentils are around EUR 2.08/kg, while Eston and Laird green varieties are near EUR 1.20/kg and EUR 1.24/kg, respectively. Meanwhile, Chinese small green lentils have become slightly cheaper, with conventional varieties around EUR 0.90–0.94/kg FOB Beijing.
The firmness in Canadian values appears to be driven more by Indian and wider import demand than by crop concerns. Saskatchewan weather has generally remained favourable, with current assessments indicating limited near-term risk to production despite some recent heavy rain and localised severe weather.
Overall, India’s tight domestic balance, reduced arrivals, higher Canadian export costs and currency movements are expected to keep masoor prices supported. Softer Chinese green lentil offers could limit gains in some markets, but India’s demand for red lentils is likely to remain concentrated on Canadian and Australian supplies.