QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE | Farmers sticking with lentils this season in spite of pricing free fall

Lentil prices hitting low prices not seen for years is not expected to prompt a change of plans for grower plantings in 2026.

The crop has largely experienced high prices for the past 5-10 years, which has resulted in large planting increases both in Australia and overseas.

Queensland Country Life reported that the price drop, attributed to increasingly larger crop sizes globally, has many growers holding onto their lentils to sell at a hopefully higher price.

Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Andrew Weidemann said the crop had risen in popularity for growers in marginal areas.

"You see what people have been doing, in places like the Mallee it has been a fantastic option, the gross margins have been incredible compared to the other crops grown," Mr Weidemann said.

Mr Weidemann said given the relatively limited demand for the crop, strongly centered on the Indian subcontinent, further increases in planting could put pressure on prices.

"You plant some more hectares in wheat or barley in Australia and on the global scale it won't be that significant, however, you do the same for lentils, which is a far smaller crop and it does have an impact."

He said he was expecting lentil plantings this season to remain steady given farmers' desire to maintain rotations, rather than chase high paying crops.

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