Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried (dehulled and split)
Industry PositionProcessed pulse commodity
Market
Dried split red lentils in Australia are an export-oriented pulse product made by cleaning, dehulling and splitting locally grown lentils. Production is concentrated in South Australia and Victoria (with key growing regions including the Yorke Peninsula/Eyre Peninsula/Mid North/South East in SA and the Mallee and Wimmera in VIC). ABARES forecast lentil production to rise to a record 1.9 million tonnes in 2025–26; market access depends on meeting importing-country cleanliness and phytosanitary requirements and managing policy and freight volatility in key destination markets.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter
Domestic RolePrimarily export-oriented; domestic consumption is a smaller share than export
Market GrowthGrowing (recent seasons through 2025–26 outlook)expanded plantings and higher output in SA and VIC, with strong year-to-year variability driven by seasonal conditions
Risks
Climate HighSeasonal rainfall and temperature variability in south-eastern Australian grainbelt regions can sharply reduce lentil yields and exportable availability, creating supply and price volatility for Australian-origin split red lentils.Use multi-region sourcing across SA and VIC supply chains; lock in cover gradually with seasonal updates (e.g., ABARES crop reports) and maintain contingency inventory for key programs.
Trade Policy HighPolicy and tariff changes in key destination markets (notably India) can rapidly shift demand and netback prices for Australian lentils; India reintroduced tariffs on Australian lentils effective 8 March 2025 (reported effective rate 11%).Diversify destination markets and customer mix; monitor policy notifications and adjust contracting and shipping windows to reduce exposure.
Sps Compliance MediumDestination SPS requirements commonly require consignments to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material; failures can trigger delay, rejection, treatment costs or forced re-export.Align plant sanitation, cleaning, and inspection plans with importing-country requirements verified via Micor/NPPO; run pre-shipment quality and contaminant checks and document treatments where required.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and container availability can pressure margins and disrupt shipment schedules for containerized pulses, affecting competitiveness into price-sensitive markets.Use flexible shipping windows, multi-carrier planning, and contract structures that share or cap freight risk; prioritize reliable lanes during peak demand periods.
Sustainability- Seasonal climate variability risk management in southern grainbelt production zones (yield volatility and supply uncertainty)
- Cleanliness controls to reduce weed seed and extraneous material risk in export consignments
Labor & Social- Modern slavery due-diligence and transparency expectations for large entities operating in Australia (Modern Slavery Act reporting threshold applies), which can flow through buyer requirements for supply-chain policies and statements
FAQ
Which Australian regions are most associated with lentil production for export supply?Australian lentil production is concentrated in South Australia and Victoria. Key regions highlighted by GRDC include South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid North and South East, and Victoria’s Mallee and Wimmera.
What export compliance steps and documents are commonly involved when exporting lentils from Australia?Lentils (whole or split) can be treated as prescribed plant export goods, meaning exporters may need to be registered, use a registered establishment, and have consignments inspected by an Authorised Officer. An export permit may be required, and a DAFF-issued phytosanitary certificate is issued when the importing country requires it; exporters are expected to verify destination requirements (e.g., via Micor and the importing country’s NPPO).
What quality issues are commonly controlled in Australian lentil delivery standards?Industry guidance emphasizes limits on poor colour (discoloured) and defective seeds, avoiding contamination from other lentil varieties and cereal grains, and managing moisture to protect quality. These factors are used to meet receival and buyer delivery standards.