Canadian Lentil Guide

Supply chains in Canada mainly operate a ‘pull’ delivery system where grain is moved from a farm to a receival site and then to a port, ‘just in time’ as ships arrive. Canada’s grain supply chain is particularly exposed to the pricing and efficiency of rail freight provided by two dominant private rail companies. Unit trains in Canada are larger and deliver at least 10,000 tonnes per train to the port. Canadian wagons take up to two weeks to cycle. Grain in Canada is mainly produced in the warm summer months over a four to the five-month growing season. Almost all grain in Canada is stored on the farm immediately after harvest, with less than 10% delivered to a receival site directly from the paddock. Canadian farmers present grain samples stored in farm bins to receival sites and negotiate prices and grades. Farmers’ sales are primarily restricted to their local receival sites, which compete for grain through their price and contract offers.

75% of grain exported from Canada travels long distances by rail from the prairie provinces to two main west coast ports. Journeys of 1300 to 1800 km are commonplace. Oil and mineral fields in Canada are close to agricultural areas, so both industries share the rail network. Two rail companies dominate the provision of rail freight in Canada. There is limited inter-switching between the networks, so they operate primarily as regional monopolies, owning both above and below-rail assets.

Consequently, Canada’s grain supply chains are particularly exposed to the pricing and efficiency of rail freight provided by these two dominant companies. Canada’s main export port, Vancouver, has six-grain export terminals. Three companies in Canada: Richardsons, Viterra, and Cargill, own most of the port infrastructure and account for about 75% of the annual grain exports. 

- Class

Lentils are designated into two classes: Lentils, Red, and Lentils, other than Red. The method of determining the class of a lentil is by cotyledon color. Inspectors may need to visually inspect cotyledons to determine the class.

Lentils on export are graded in accordance with the primary and export grade determinants tables. The following are some items that affect lentil quality:

- Ascochyta

Ascochyta is a fungal disease that attacks the lentil plant and seed. Any degree of white fungal growth on the seed is considered damaged.

- Bleached

Bleached seeds have a whitened seed coat distinctly faded from the natural red color of sound lentils. Lentils having a lighter pink shade that is contrasting with the overall sample are considered sound.

- Color

Color is evaluated after the removal of stained and damaged lentils.

- Copper

Copper seeds have a rust color covering both sides of the seed and the entire seed coat. The rust color is in distinct contrast with the natural red color of sound lentils.

- Damage (DMG)

Damaged lentils may be peeled, split, broken, sprouted, distinctly green, frost-damaged, distinctly deteriorated or discolored by weather or disease, insect damaged, heat damaged, or otherwise damaged in a way that materially affects quality.

- Ergot (ERG)

Ergot is a plant disease-producing elongated fungal body with a purplish-black exterior, a purplish-white to off-white interior, and a relatively smooth surface texture.

- Excreta

Excrement from any animal, including mammals, birds, and insects.

- Fertilizer pellets

Fertilizer pellets are manufactured plant nutrient products used by producers in the production of grain. The looks are typically small, round, or irregularly shaped and usually white, grey, brown, pink, or reddish.

Grain bound for Asia typically departs from one of two west coast ports: Prince Rupert or Vancouver. Vancouver is the largest of these ports, with six terminal elevators and 58% of total grain exports. Prince Rupert has only one terminal elevator despite accounting for 19% of Canada's grain exports. 

Most grain destined for Europe or the Middle East departs from Thunder Bay, Ontario, which has eight terminal elevators and accounts for 21 percent of exported grain. Less than 1% is also exported via the east coast port of Churchill via a single port terminal. Export volumes from west coast ports have increased compared to east coast ports in recent years. This is partly due to a decline in trade with Europe compared with Asia and partly due to lower shipping rates in the Pacific region.