Lentils Market: From Weakness to Gradual Stabilisation in June 2026

Lentil-related pulse prices, led by tur (pigeon pea), are showing the first signs of recovery after recent pressure, as traders anticipate a gradual pickup in dal-mill buying. Global lentil prices remain generally weak to steady, but downside momentum is slowing as sellers turn cautious at lower levels. The near-term picture for lentils is shaped by three elements: recovering tur sentiment in India, ample global supplies led by Canada and Australia, and mostly favourable North American weather. Wholesale tur in New Delhi has stabilised after earlier declines, with expectations of stronger mill demand and firm retail dal consumption helping to put a floor under related pulse prices. At the same time, Canadian and Chinese lentil FOB values show only modest week‑on‑week moves, underscoring a market that is no longer in free fall but has not yet turned decisively higher.

Prices & Short-Term Trend

Tur prices in New Delhi have stopped falling and are now recovering modestly, supported by expectations of improved dal-mill buying and steady retail demand. Wholesale tur is quoted around USD 83.81–84.60 per quintal, with sellers increasingly reluctant to accept further discounts at current low levels. Imported supplies still cap rallies, but domestic availability is not excessive, limiting downside risk.

In the lentils segment, current FOB indications converted into EUR suggest a weak-to-steady tone with small recent adjustments. Chinese small green lentils (FOB Beijing) have edged slightly higher for organics, while Canadian green and red types have eased only marginally over the past two weeks, consistent with a market searching for a bottom rather than entering a new down-leg.

(All EUR values are approximate conversions from recent USD/FOB indications.)

Supply & Demand Drivers

On the demand side, the key near-term support comes from India, where tur-based dals compete directly with lentils in many consumer baskets. Market participants in New Delhi expect dal-mill buying to improve in the coming days, with retail demand for tur dal also described as an important pillar for future price movements. This prospective recovery in tur consumption is likely to lend indirect support to imported lentils and other pulses used as substitutes.

Globally, supplies of lentils remain comfortable. Canada, a core supplier of green and red lentils, is entering the new growing season with relatively solid carryout, while Australian lentil production has been strong and has contributed to softer world prices in recent months. At the same time, U.S. and Canadian acreage data still point to sizeable pulse areas, even if there is some regional adjustment away from peas and lentils. Ample available stocks mean that any demand-led recovery will initially manifest as a move from weak to steady rather than a sharp price spike.

Fundamentals & Weather

Fundamental signals from India’s tur market show a classic early-recovery pattern: prices had been under pressure, but sellers are now increasingly cautious at low levels, and expectations for stronger dal-mill off-take are firming. Imported tur and other pulses cap the upside, yet the absence of burdensome domestic stocks reduces the risk of a renewed sharp sell-off. This balance is broadly constructive for lentils and related pulses, as processors begin to cover forward needs more actively if they sense a price floor.

Weather conditions in key North American lentil regions currently appear broadly favourable for crop establishment. In Saskatchewan, June temperatures are running in a seasonal to warm range, supporting germination and early vegetative growth for pulses, while recent precipitation patterns are mixed but not yet signalling a widespread production threat. In the U.S. Northern Plains, crop progress data confirm that lentil and pea plantings are largely on schedule, reinforcing expectations for another year of comfortable exportable supplies barring a late-season weather shock.

Outlook & Trading Recommendations

With tur prices in India tentatively recovering and lentil offers in Canada and China stabilising, the base case for the coming weeks is a transition from weak to steady market conditions. Upside is constrained by heavy global inventories and strong Southern Hemisphere supply, but downside is increasingly limited by producer resistance and improved pulse demand as consumers adjust to current price levels.

• Importers / Dal mills: Consider covering near-term requirements on price dips, as current levels are close to perceived floors in tur and lentils. Avoid over-buying until a clearer demand uptrend is visible in retail channels.
• Producers (Canada, China): Maintain a patient selling strategy; avoid aggressive forward sales at current discounts unless cash flow is needed. Focus on incremental sales into demand-led rallies tied to Indian buying.
• Traders: Look for short-term opportunities in basis and quality spreads (e.g., organic vs conventional, red vs green), as flat outright price trends limit directional strategies in the very near term.

3‑Day Price Indication (Directional)

• FOB Beijing – small green lentils (EUR/kg): Stable to slightly firmer (about 1.07–1.12 EUR), supported by cautious farmer selling.
• FOB Ottawa – green lentils (Eston, Laird): Weak-to-steady around 1.36–1.40 EUR; modest downside risk persists but major further falls look limited.
• FOB Ottawa – red lentils (red football): Steady near 2.24 EUR; any uptick in South Asian buying could quickly tighten nearby offers.