Asia: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in Asia

In 2022, the Asian lentil market decreased by -6.1% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lentil Production in Asia

In value terms, lentil production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 20%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

India (X tons) remains the largest lentil producing country in Asia, comprising approx. 50% of total volume. Moreover, lentil production in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkey (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Nepal (X tons), with a 9.9% share.

In India, lentil production increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Turkey (-3.2% per year) and Nepal (+2.0% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of lentils in Asia totaled X tons per ha, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 9.8%. Over the period under review, the lentil yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the lentil harvested area in Asia fell to X ha, waning by -9% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha, and then dropped in the following year.

Lentil Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2022, the amount of lentils exported in Asia soared to X tons, with an increase of 69% against the previous year. In general, exports saw a prominent expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lentil exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted resilient growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the key exporter of lentils in Asia, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 60% of total exports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Kazakhstan (11%) and India (7.8%). The following exporters - Myanmar (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - each resulted at a 3.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to lentil exports from Turkey stood at +9.7%. At the same time, India (+55.6%), Kazakhstan (+45.9%), the United Arab Emirates (+17.5%) and Myanmar (+6.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +55.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Kazakhstan, India and the United Arab Emirates increased by +10, +7.5 and +7.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest lentil supplier in Asia, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by India, with an 8.6% share.

In Turkey, lentil exports increased at an average annual rate of +12.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+16.7% per year) and India (+55.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 8.2% against the previous year. Export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil export price increased by +68.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 28%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lentil Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2022, overseas purchases of lentils decreased by -4.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -22.1% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 44%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lentil imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the four major importers of lentils, namely India, Turkey, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Pakistan (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Sri Lanka (X tons). All these countries together took near 10% share of total imports. Nepal (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nepal (with a CAGR of +32.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lentil importing markets in Asia were India ($X), Turkey ($X) and Bangladesh ($X), together comprising 61% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Nepal, with a CAGR of +33.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 7.3% against the previous year. Import price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil import price increased by +70.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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