China Lentils: Weak Exports, Firm Import Demand and Sideways Prices

China’s lentil market is characterized by shrinking and uncompetitive exports but steadily growing import demand, while FOB prices remain broadly sideways with a slight soft tone. For now, global oversupply and stable offers from Canada and China keep EUR prices contained, but quality upgrading and product differentiation will be critical to improve China’s export position.

China’s lentil trade is structurally in deficit: imports are rising, whereas exports have shown a fluctuating downward trend and remain highly concentrated in a few European destinations. Domestic Chinese lentil varieties still lack differentiation and competitiveness abroad, so exporters face price pressure in a global market that is amply supplied. Nevertheless, stable international prices and gradually improving agronomic practices offer an opportunity for Chinese growers and traders to reposition in higher‑value segments if they can raise quality and develop more distinctive products.

📈 Prices

Recent offers indicate a broadly sideways to slightly softer price environment for lentils. In Beijing (FOB), small green lentils are currently quoted around 1.22–1.14 EUR/kg for organic and conventional lots respectively, marginally lower than mid‑April levels. Canadian origins (FOB Ottawa) remain at a premium, with red and green types trading in a 1.64–2.57 EUR/kg range, also edging slightly down over the past two weeks. These modest declines mirror a global lentil market described as largely steady, with only limited upside risk in the near term.            

Origin	Type	Location / Term	Latest Price (EUR/kg)	1–3 Week Change
China	Small green, organic	Beijing, FOB	1.22	▼ from 1.23
China	Small green, conventional	Beijing, FOB	1.14	▼ from 1.15
Canada	Red, “Red football”	Ottawa, FOB	2.57	▼ from 2.60
Canada	Laird, Green	Ottawa, FOB	1.74	▼ from 1.77
Canada	Eston Green	Ottawa, FOB	1.64	▼ from 1.67

🌍 Supply & Demand

Feedback from market participants indicates that between 2015 and 2020 China’s lentil exports followed a fluctuating but clearly downward trend, reaching only about 9,000 tonnes in 2020 with an export value near 7 million USD. More recently, from January to October 2025 exports were roughly 1,140 tonnes, a year‑on‑year drop of around 23%, confirming an ongoing erosion of China’s presence in seaborne lentil trade. Export destinations are highly concentrated, with France as the core market alongside Italy, Belgium, Hong Kong and Spain.

By contrast, China’s import needs for lentils continue to rise, resulting in a structural trade deficit. Global supply remains comfortable, driven by strong production in key origins such as Canada and Australia, and analysts expect world trade volumes to be robust in 2025/26–2026. This combination of ample external supply and firm but price‑sensitive demand from major buyers such as India helps cap international prices and leaves Chinese importers in a relatively strong negotiating position for standard grades. 

📊 Fundamentals & Competitiveness

China’s lentil export products are still dominated by traditional varieties with limited differentiation, which constrains competitiveness in overseas markets. In an environment of global oversupply and intensifying competition from Canada, Australia and Russia, this lack of value‑added features (such as specific cooking qualities, certified sustainability or tailored packaging) forces Chinese exporters to compete largely on price. As a result, they are vulnerable when buyers can easily switch to alternative origins with stronger reputations for consistent quality.

At the same time, international lentil prices in both Canada and China have been broadly stable in late April, suggesting that the market has largely digested earlier concerns about oversupply and freight disruptions. For China, this stability offers a window to invest in agronomic improvements, cleaning and grading technology and varietal innovation without the pressure of a sharp price collapse. Over the medium term, better quality standards and more clearly defined product segments could help China capture higher‑margin niches, particularly in European food and health markets. 

🌦️ Weather & Production Outlook

Weather in major Northern Hemisphere lentil origins, notably Canada, is currently viewed as broadly normal for the start of the 2026 growing season, with no severe multi‑week planting or germination stress reported so far. Canadian growers are reportedly shifting slightly away from lentils in their acreage mix, which, if confirmed through spring, could support a somewhat firmer price bias into the 2026/27 season, especially for green types. However, near‑term global supply is still comfortable, so any weather‑driven risk premium is likely to emerge only later if adverse conditions persist into pod‑filling stages. 

📆 Market & Trading Outlook

Taking into account the structural rise in China’s lentil imports, shrinking exports and the current sideways global price pattern, the near‑term outlook points to continued price stability with only modest downside risk. European and Asian food buyers are advised to use today’s relatively low‑volatility window to secure partial coverage for the second half of 2026, particularly for green lentils where Canadian acreage signals hint at tighter forward availability. For Chinese exporters, the focus should shift from volume growth towards margin protection and market repositioning.

• Chinese exporters: Prioritize higher‑quality, well‑cleaned traditional varieties for core markets like France and Italy; lock in sales on any small price rallies rather than holding out for major gains.
• Chinese importers: Gradually extend coverage on standard green and red lentils while prices remain flat; exploit origin competition between Canada and other suppliers to negotiate tighter EUR differentials.
• Food manufacturers in Europe/Asia: Consider modest forward procurement into Q3–Q4 2026 for green lentils to hedge against potential tightening if Canadian area reductions materialize. 

📉 3‑Day Regional Price Indication (EUR, Directional)

• Beijing, FOB (CN small green lentils): 1.13–1.22 EUR/kg, expected sideways to slightly softer amid weak export demand and comfortable global supply.
• Ottawa, FOB (CA green & red lentils): 1.63–2.56 EUR/kg, expected sideways, with modest support from early‑season acreage concerns but capped by ample old‑crop availability.
• Delivered EU ports (mixed origins, CIF, indicative): roughly 1.80–2.70 EUR/kg equivalent, expected stable as freight costs and origin offers show no strong short‑term catalysts.