Dried shelled lentils market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

After a decline in lentil production to 1 741 тыс. т in 2019, output recovered to over 2 000 тыс. т in 2021 driven by increased Minimum Support Price adjustments and continued procurement by state agencies like NAFED. The market volume followed a similar pattern, falling to 2 649 тыс. т in 2019 before rebounding to 3 014 тыс. т in 2021. Production dipped again in 2022 but reached 2 039 тыс. т in 2023 as the government raised MSP to ₹6 425 per quintal for the Rabi season, encouraging a 6% year‑on‑year expansion in sown area.

State‑owned bodies such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare provided research on improved varieties like Pusa Masoor‑1 and extension services, which supported gradual yield gains. At the same time, regulatory changes affected the packaged segment: the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India introduced labeling amendments requiring larger font for nutrition information in 2022, followed by stricter nutrient‑claim guidelines for fortified lentils in 2023. In 2024, a Supreme Court mandate made front‑of‑pack nutritional labeling mandatory for all pre‑packaged dried lentils.

The COVID‑19 pandemic caused global supply‑chain disruptions in 2020, yet India’s domestic lentil cultivation was sustained by policy measures under the National Food Security Mission and PM‑AASHA. Trade patterns shifted notably in 2023, with import volumes falling sharply as higher domestic output reduced reliance on foreign supply. Global supply‑chain dynamics, including increased Canadian production, continued to influence import levels and price stability in the following years.

Production dried shelled lentils in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's dried shelled lentils production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 624 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 6.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 134 K t, representing a significant increase of 23.2% from the previous year. However, this was followed by the largest decline in 2019, when production dropped by 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled lentils from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Southern Asia's exports of dried shelled lentils declined. In 2020, export volumes amounted to 20 K t, showing a sharp reduction of 25.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 48.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 68.5% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

An analysis of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across numerous markets. Qatar accounted for 11.9% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 3.5%, and Malaysia for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.7% of total export flows, while the remaining 81.3% was distributed among many other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Asia's dried shelled lentils exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 28.7 M $ US worth of dried shelled lentils, constituting a sudden rise of 43.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 34.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 15.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 29.5% during this period.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar, Singapore, and Malaysia were important buyers of dried shelled lentils from Southern Asia in value terms. Qatar accounted for 10.0% of exports, Singapore for 3.0%, and Malaysia for 2.9%. However, their combined share reached only 15.8% of total export value, with the remaining 84.2% distributed among many other partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled lentils to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of dried shelled lentils to Southern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 076 K t, which is 15.0% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Australia and Canada remained the principal sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 81.9% of total import flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Southern Asia's imports of dried shelled lentils increased. In 2020, the region imported 603.0 M $ US worth of dried shelled lentils, up by 44.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 416.6 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 22.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017-2020, Australia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates were the principal destinations for imports in value terms. Australia accounted for 41.8% of imports, Canada for 32.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 87.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020