Dried shelled lentils market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled lentils in Turkey expanded significantly from 387.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 594.2 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by continued government subsidies for lentil production, including direct payments of 50 kurus per kg and price interventions by the state-owned Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi (TMO). In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and global logistics bottlenecks, combined with a drought in Canada that reduced worldwide lentil supply, prompted a surge in Turkish imports as the country bolstered its reserves amid shortage concerns.

Market volume then contracted to 510.2 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 454.4 thousand tons in 2022. The decline was linked to persistent drought conditions hampering global lentil output, which constrained import availability. Domestically, TMO's setting of fixed purchase prices for red lentils aimed to stabilize the farmer market, while local production recovered in 2022 after a sharp drop the previous year.

A record market volume of 765.0 thousand tons was reached in 2023, fueled primarily by a jump in imports to 860.3 thousand tons. Domestic production also rose to 474.0 thousand tons, sustained by government incentives such as support for cultivation in dry-farming areas and extended subsidy applications for farmers. In 2024, although full market size data is not available, import activity remained high, and the newly established Anatolian Product Market Agency (ÜPAK) began operations, marking a shift in market intermediation structures.

Production dried shelled lentils Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey ranked as the world's fourth-largest producer of dried shelled lentils.

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

Turkey's production of dried shelled lentils grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 370.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.9% increase from the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.8%, averaging an annual decline of 4.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 353.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the steepest drop of 17.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Turkey's dried shelled lentils production rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 278.9 million US dollars, a 28.1% rise compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 217.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline was in 2018 at 39.6%.

Annual dynamics of production Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled lentils to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Turkey exported 406.2 thousand tonnes of dried shelled lentils, a 31.6% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 308.6 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the biggest decline of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's export market for dried shelled lentils in volume terms was highly diversified. Iraq accounted for 18.4% of exports, Sudan for 13.9%, and Egypt for 11.0%, together making up just 43.3% of total flows. The remaining 56.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, Turkey's dried shelled lentils exports in value terms rose. In 2020, exports reached 305.5 million US dollars, a 60.8% jump from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 190.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 24.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey's export partners for dried shelled lentils in value terms were quite broad. Iraq represented 18.3% of exports, Sudan 13.5%, and Egypt 9.7%, collectively accounting for only 41.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled lentils in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's imports of dried shelled lentils in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 629.5 thousand tonnes, a sharp 56.9% rise from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.1%, with an average annual rate of 5.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 398.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 25.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Kazakhstan were the primary sources for Turkey's dried shelled lentils imports in volume terms, together accounting for 85.9% of total flows. Other partners played much smaller individual roles.

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

World map of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Turkey imported dried shelled lentils worth 311.8 million US dollars, a 98.6% surge from the prior year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 157.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline was in 2018 at 51.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and Kazakhstan dominated Turkey's dried shelled lentils imports in value terms, jointly absorbing 84.0% of total flows. The remainder was spread across smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports in Turkey in value, 2017-2020