Lentil you find a better one, here’s a good story

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, or simply want to incorporate more plant-based protein into your diet—lentils are one of the top sources for it, according to Canada’s food guide.

Better yet, you know we’ve got the scoop, er, the data. Let’s have a look.

Production and stocks down in 2023

In 2023, Canadian farmers produced nearly 1.7 million tonnes of lentils, down from 2.3 million in 2022. The nearly 3.2 million tonnes produced in 2016 is the highest on record since we started tracking the current series in 1981. There were nearly 5.5 million acres of harvested area out of nearly 5.6 million acres of seeded area in 2016, both record highs.

As of December 31, 2023, farm and commercial stocks of lentils stood at just over 1.0 million tonnes, down from over 1.4 million a year earlier.

Much like other grains and oilseeds, lentil stocks were down because of lower production in 2023, most notably in Western Canada, where overall dry growing conditions resulted in poorer yields.

Exports up in 2023

Canada exported nearly 2.0 million tonnes of lentils in 2023, valued at close to $2.3 billion and up from nearly 1.9 million tonnes in 2022. Over 3.1 million tonnes were exported in 2020, the highest amount on record since we started tracking the current series in 1988.

In 2023, the top export destination by weight for Canadian lentils was India (35.9%), followed by Türkiye (22.6%), the United Arab Emirates (8.4%) and the United States (4.3%).

More cash receipts and higher farm gate prices in 2023

Canadian farmers received nearly $1.7 billion in cash receipts for lentils in 2023, up from just over $1.6 billion in 2022.

The $2.3 billion in receipts received for lentils in 2015 was the highest on record, followed closely by $2.0 billion in 2016.

On a monthly basis, Saskatchewan farmers charged $989.29 per tonne at the farm gate for lentils in December 2023, the high mark for the year. They received a record $1,142.25 per tonne at the gate in March 2016, followed by $1,139.45 in January 2022.

More seeded area expected

Farmers expect to plant 3.7 million acres of lentils in 2024, up 1.8% from 2023. In Saskatchewan, seeded area is expected to increase by 2.6% to 3.3 million acres. Almost 90% of Canada’s lentils are grown in that province, with a smaller proportion coming from Manitoba and Alberta.

Looking ahead

Statistics Canada will release data on stocks as of March 31, 2024, of principal field crops, including lentils, on May 7, 2024.

For the latest information, check out our Agriculture and Food Statistics Portal.