Turkey’s Falling Lentil Output Deepens Reliance on Imports
Turkey’s lentil production fell to 433,000 tonnes from 846,000 tonnes over 36 years as its population increased to 86 million. The country imported 7.6 million tonnes in 2003-2025, creating a major market for foreign suppliers, including Canada.
Output falls as the population expands
Turkey has moved from being the world’s leading lentil producer to relying on imports for a substantial share of domestic consumption. Agricultural writer Gazi Kutlu told Cumhuriyet that the country produced 846,000 tonnes of lentils in the 1990s, when its population stood at 56 million. Over the following 36 years, the population rose by about 30 million to 86 million, while production declined by 413,000 tonnes to 433,000 tonnes.
The opposing trends in production and population have changed Turkey’s position in the global lentil market. Once ranked first in world output, the country has fallen to sixth place. According to Kutlu, approximately half of the lentils consumed during the period of Justice and Development Party, or AKP, rule have been imported. That makes overseas supply important not only to traders and processors but also to consumers of lentil soup, one of the country’s most familiar and affordable foods.
Imports fill the widening domestic gap
Turkey imported 7.6 million tonnes of lentils between 2003 and 2025, paying $5.4 billion, according to figures provided by Kutlu to Cumhuriyet. Imports reached 446,000 tonnes in the first seven months of 2026 alone, already exceeding the stated annual domestic production level of 433,000 tonnes. The comparison underlines the scale of the supply deficit, although the figures cover different periods.
Kutlu said Turkey remained among the world’s three largest lentil importers during the AKP period. It was the biggest importer in 2008 and has generally ranked second since 2013, behind India. He contrasted Turkey’s population of 86 million with India’s 1.4 billion, arguing that the scale of Turkish purchases reflects a policy preference for imports rather than sufficient support for domestic output.
Canada gains as Turkey’s production position weakens
The decline has created opportunities for foreign suppliers, particularly Canada, now an important force in global lentil production and trade. Cumhuriyet reported Kutlu’s account that seeds taken from Turkey helped establish Canadian production. Turkey, described as a genetic centre of the crop, has consequently become a buyer of a commodity historically associated with its own agricultural base.
The domestic debate also concerns quality, marketing and the timing of state intervention. Cumhuriyet reported allegations that Turkey exports lentils with higher protein quality while importing lower-quality supplies. Experts cited by the publication said the Turkish Grain Board, or TMO, sometimes announces green-lentil purchase prices only after farmers have sold their crop, allowing traders rather than growers to capture the benefit. Farmers argue that this purchasing policy, together with broader agricultural decisions, has weakened incentives to maintain production. For producers, restoring output would require buying arrangements that offer visibility before crops are marketed. For processors and importers, however, the continuing domestic shortfall points to sustained demand for external supplies.
