Southern Asia: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in Southern Asia

In 2022, the South Asian lentil market decreased by -3.7% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Lentil Production in Southern 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 +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of lentil production was India (X tons), comprising approx. 75% of total volume. Moreover, lentil production in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Nepal (X tons), fivefold.

In India, lentil production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nepal (+2.0% per year) and Bangladesh (+8.5% per year).

The average lentil yield reached X kg per ha in 2022, remaining constant against 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 19%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the lentil yield remained 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 Southern Asia declined to X ha, waning by -10.1% compared with the year before. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha, and then reduced in the following year.

Lentil Exports

Exports in Southern Asia

Lentil exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, increasing by 254% on the previous year. Overall, exports saw a strong increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lentil exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a perceptible expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

India prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 87% of total exports in 2022. Afghanistan (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 6.4% share, followed by Nepal (4.8%). Sri Lanka (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lentils exports, with a CAGR of +55.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Afghanistan (+12.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Sri Lanka (-15.9%) and Nepal (-20.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. India (+85 p.p.) and Afghanistan (+3.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Sri Lanka and Nepal saw its share reduced by -15.3% and -71.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the largest lentil supplier in Southern Asia, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nepal ($X), with a 5.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Afghanistan, with a 4.1% share.

In India, lentil exports increased at an average annual rate of +55.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nepal (-20.0% per year) and Afghanistan (+15.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 7.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Nepal ($X per ton), while Afghanistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Afghanistan (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lentil Imports

Imports in Southern Asia

In 2022, supplies from abroad of lentils decreased by -6.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lentil imports amounted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 75%. 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

India (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) dominates imports structure, together committing 75% of total imports. Pakistan (X tons) held a 9.6% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Sri Lanka (8.8%) and Nepal (5.7%).

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, India ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lentils in Southern Asia, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bangladesh ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 12% share.

In India, lentil imports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bangladesh (+8.0% per year) and Pakistan (+12.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 12% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +75.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: 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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