The Indian pulse market is at a crucial juncture, with lentil prices climbing steadily alongside a broader rally in select pulses. Recent weeks have seen noticeable upward movement for lentils (masoor) across major wholesale mandis in New Delhi and elsewhere. This uptick is rooted in a scenario of tightening supplies, as limited arrivals coincide with solid, unwavering demand from both consumers and bulk processors. Cautiously optimistic sentiment prevails among traders: while arrivals remain restricted and stockists are releasing product judiciously, market participants see little chance of price relief in the immediate future.
The pulse market’s pulse, so to speak, is being determined by two central forces — the restricted supply pipeline and consistent consumption, particularly in urban centers. For lentils, specifically, prices are now hovering between $78 and $90 per 100 kg depending on quality and location, with most of this strength traced to thin spot availability and steady interest from large-scale buyers. This report explores India’s lentil story from the ground up, grounded firmly in firsthand market observations, and then supplements that view with global price context and a forward-looking trading outlook.
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📈 Prices
| Market | Type | Purity | Origin | Location | Delivery Terms | Latest Price (EUR/kg) | Prev. Price (EUR/kg) | Update Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing (FOB) | Small, green (Organic) | 99.5% | CN | Beijing | FOB | 1.25 | 1.24 | 2026-03-12 |
| Beijing (FOB) | Small, green | 99.5% | CN | Beijing | FOB | 1.18 | 1.18 | 2026-03-12 |
| Ottawa (FOB) | Laird, Green | – | CA | Ottawa | FOB | 1.75 | 1.75 | 2026-03-07 |
In New Delhi, lentil prices are reported in the $78–$90 range per 100 kg (approx. €0.72–€0.83/kg), underscoring robust domestic price momentum. Internationally, Canadian Laird Green lentils remain steady at €1.75/kg (FOB), and Chinese origins (small, green lentils) trade at €1.18–€1.25/kg. This confirms India’s market is firming in sync with global trends.
🌍 Supply & Demand
- Tight Arrivals: The backbone of the current rally, as lentil arrivals into major Indian markets remain restrained.
- Firm Consumption: Domestic demand, especially from processors and bulk food manufacturers, has not only stayed constant but increased, absorbing the limited supply.
- Stockist Behavior: Cautious release of stocks, with traders hesitant to risk sales amid ongoing market tightness.
📊 Fundamentals & Market Drivers
- Supply: Lentil supply is squeezed due to limited market arrivals and holding behavior by stockists.
- Demand: Firm demand from both processing/industrial buyers and consumers is keeping up the price momentum.
- Related Pulses: Moong and chana remain stable, not competing with lentils but helping keep the overall pulse index strong.
- Sentiment: Caution is widespread—buyers are active yet wary, expecting stability or further strengthening unless arrivals rise.
🌤️ Weather Outlook & Crop Prospects
- India: No major weather disruptions reported in key producing belts in the last few weeks; however, sowing patterns and monsoon progress in coming months will critically impact medium-term supply.
- Global Context: North America (Canada) and China are expected to have stable spring plantings, but localized weather can still impact late 2026 shipments and new crop supplies.
🌐 Global Production & Stock Comparison
| Country | 2025/26 Output (Est.) | Stocks (Est.) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | ~1.3m t | Low | Limited supplies pushing prices up |
| Canada | ~2.2m t | Stable | Exportable surpluses, mainly to Asia/M.East |
| Australia | ~0.9m t | Moderate | Regional shipments strong but limited stock growth |
📆 Outlook & Trading Recommendations
- Short-term: Market expected to stay steady to firm, with possible further price gains if arrivals remain low.
- Buyers: Consider securing spot needs, as prices are likely to remain supported unless there is an unexpected influx of arrivals.
- Exporters/Stockists: Maintain a cautious approach; gradual, controlled releases can continue to benefit from firm demand.
- Watch: Monitor Indian mandi arrivals and any government procurement changes, as these will impact near-term direction.
⏩ 3-Day Regional Price Forecast
| Market | Current (EUR/kg) | Expected Range (EUR/kg) | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi (Spot) | 0.73–0.83 | 0.72–0.85 | Steady to Firm |
| Ottawa (FOB) | 1.75 | 1.75–1.80 | Stable |
| Beijing (FOB) | 1.18–1.25 | 1.18–1.28 | Steady to Slightly Firm |
