Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried lentils in Great Britain (GB) are primarily an import-supplied shelf-stable pulse sold through supermarkets, ethnic grocery/wholesale channels, and food manufacturing/foodservice. GB’s role is predominantly consumption and repacking/packing for retail and catering, with market access shaped by UK border procedures, plant health requirements for plant products where applicable, and food safety compliance for contaminants and residues.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleStaple dry pulse for household cooking, ethnic cuisines, and as an ingredient for soups, ready meals, and catering
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by import programs and inventory management rather than domestic harvest seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Low foreign matter (stones, stalks, soil)
- Uniform color for the declared type (e.g., red split, green/brown whole)
- Low broken percentage for whole-lentil specifications
- Absence of live insects and visible mold
Compositional Metrics- Moisture controlled for safe ambient storage and transport
- Residue and contaminant compliance aligned to UK legal limits (as applicable to the product)
Grades- Buyer specifications commonly differentiate by whole vs split, cleanliness/sorting level, and intended channel (retail vs catering/industrial).
Packaging- Retail packs (weights vary by brand/private label) and larger catering sacks are common; packaging must protect against moisture ingress and pest contamination during storage and distribution.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin cleaning/sorting and defect removal → bagging (bulk) → sea freight to GB → customs/any applicable border checks → importer/packer cleaning rework as needed → repacking into retail/catering formats → distribution to retail, wholesale, and manufacturing users
Temperature- Ambient shipments with emphasis on dryness; avoid temperature swings that can cause container condensation and moisture pickup
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and moisture management to reduce condensation risk; stored-product pest prevention during storage
Shelf Life- Long shelf life under dry, pest-controlled storage; quality and compliance risks increase with moisture exposure and infestation
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with UK food safety requirements (e.g., pesticide residue or contaminant exceedances, or foreign-body/infestation findings in packed product) can trigger border detention, product withdrawal/recall, and loss of retailer approval for lentil lines.Use approved suppliers with documented controls; require pre-shipment certificates of analysis/testing (risk-based), strong incoming inspection/cleaning, and robust finished-pack foreign-body and infestation prevention programs.
Phytosanitary MediumLive stored-product pests or evidence of infestation in bulk consignments can lead to detention and corrective action (e.g., fumigation, re-export, or destruction) depending on the finding and regulatory response.Specify pest-control and storage standards at origin; implement container loading hygiene checks and moisture-control practices; conduct inbound inspection and quarantine holds before repacking.
Logistics MediumSea freight volatility and port/inland transport disruptions can extend lead times and raise landed costs for GB retail and catering programs, increasing out-of-stock risk and margin pressure.Contract buffer stock for core SKUs, diversify origin/ship windows, and use forward freight planning for promotional periods.
Documentation Gap MediumDocument mismatches (classification, weights, lot IDs, origin proofs, or any required certificates) can cause clearance delays and additional inspections, disrupting service levels.Run a pre-shipment document audit aligned to importer and UK clearance requirements; ensure lot IDs and weights reconcile across all documents and labels.
Labor & Social- Modern slavery due-diligence expectations in GB (e.g., Modern Slavery Act reporting for larger businesses) can drive retailer/importer supplier questionnaires and social compliance screening for imported agricultural commodities; the risk profile is largely origin-dependent.
Standards- BRCGS Food Safety
- HACCP
- ISO 22000
Sources
UK Government (HM Revenue & Customs) — UK Trade Tariff (commodity classification and import measures)
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), United Kingdom — Plant health import requirements for plants and plant products (risk-based controls by commodity/origin)
Food Standards Agency (FSA), United Kingdom — UK food safety and hygiene guidance (legal compliance expectations for food placed on the market)
International Trade Centre (ITC) — Trade Map (UK import/export trade flow references for HS-coded products such as lentils)
UN Statistics Division — UN Comtrade Database (official trade statistics used for cross-checking UK lentil imports)
UK Government — Modern Slavery Act guidance and reporting expectations (supply chain due diligence context)