Most lentil (Lens culinaris) varieties grown in Canada have green seed coats and yellow cotyledons (seed leaves). Green lentils are divided into three market classes in Canada: large green, medium green, and small green. Large green lentils now include Laird, Glamis, Sovereign, and Grandora varieties; medium green lentils include Richlea and Vandage varieties; and small green lentils include Eston and Milestone varieties. Canada has recently become an important producer and exporter of red lentils. Red lentil varieties typically have brown to pale green seed coats with red cotyledons. The red lentil production consists of the varieties Crimson and Redwig as well as Blaze, Redcap, and Robin. There are also other varieties of lentils that are grown in small volumes in Canada and are sold into niche markets.

Lentils are a cool season crop with a restricted root system that is only somewhat resistant to high temperatures and drought. They cannot withstand flooding, water-logging, or soils with high salinity. Lentils are best suited to brown and dark brown soil zones, but can be grown successfully in black soil zones in years without excessive moisture. Lentils work well in rotation with cereals such as spring and durum wheat. They have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air which can be then be used by other crops in the following years. Lentils are vulnerable to both ascochyta blight and anthracnose. To reduce the risk of these blights, lentils should be only seeded in the same field once every four years.

Area of Production

Canadian lentils are harvested almost exclusively in Saskatchewan, which accounted for 98% of the harvested area in 2003. The area of production increased 38% in 2000, rising from 497 thousand hectares to 688 thousand hectares. However, the harvested area fell in both 2001 and 2002, down to 664 thousand hectares and 387 thousand hectares, respectively, a decline of almost 44%. Harvested area rebounded in 2003, reaching 536 thousand hectares and is expected to continue the upward trend in 2004, with the area of production of lentils increasing to 680 thousand hectares. ⁽¹⁾

Yield

Lentil yield has declined in the past several years. Yield peaked in 1999 at 1.46 tonnes per hectare; however it declined in both the following two years, falling almost 42% to 0.85 tonnes per hectare in 2001. Yield slowly began to increase in 2002, rising to 0.91 tonnes per hectare, followed by another slight increase to 0.97 tonnes per hectare in 2003. Yield is expected to follow the upward trend and have another small increase in 2004, up to 1 tonne per hectare. ⁽¹⁾

Volume of Production

Lentils are the second largest special crop that Canada produces, after dry peas. Canada is one of the top three producers of lentils in the world, alongside Turkey and India. In 1999, Canadian lentil production was 724 thousand tonnes, which was followed by a 26% increase in 2000 to 914 thousand tonnes. Production decreased to 566 thousand tonnes in 2001, coupled with another decrease in 2002 to 354 thousand tonnes, an overall decrease of 61% from the decade high of 2000. The drop in production was due to low yield and a decrease in the harvested area caused by a drought in western Canada. The downward trend was reversed in 2003, when production increased to 520 thousand tonnes. The forecast for 2004 is for lentil production to increase to 680 thousand tonnes, due to a 26% increase in seeded area. Production is expected to increase for large, medium, and small green, red, and other types of lentils. ⁽¹⁾

Disposition

Canada is the world's largest exporter of lentils, with a 44% share of the export market in 2003. In 1999, Canadian exports of lentils were 417 thousand tonnes, increasing 24% to 519 thousand tonnes in 2000. Since 2000, exports have decreased annually, down to 348 thousand tonnes in 2003, a 33% decrease. Canadian exports are expected to increase in 2004 due to both an increase in Canada's share of the world supply and an increase in Canadian production. ⁽¹⁾

Production is expected to move upward with increased world demand, the large area of land suitable for lentil production in Saskatchewan, and the development of improved varieties, as well as agronomic improvements. Canada is expected to continue to be one of the largest producers of lentils and to continue to dominate world lentil exports. ⁽¹⁾

In 2003, Algeria was the largest importer of Canadian lentils with a 15% share. Columbia was the second largest market, with a 12% share, followed by Bangladesh and Mexico, each with a 7% share of Canadian exports.

Additional Information

Lentils are used almost exclusively for human consumption. They are high in fibre, protein, B vitamins, and minerals. They are also an excellent source of complex carbohydrates as well as being and low in sodium and fat. Lentils are often used as a meat extender or as a meat substitute because of the high protein content and quality. They can be used in soups, stews, salads, casseroles, and vegetarian dishes. Lentils can also be used for livestock feed, however, only small amounts of low grade lentils are used for feed.

For the latest market information and analysis available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, please consult the following publications:

⁽¹⁾ Forecast based on August-July crop year, Market Analysis Division, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, April 28, 2004.


Date Modified: 2005-03-08		Important Notices
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