 which 40–45% is exported from the country of origin. This is in contrast to chickpea where almost double the tonnage is produced globally, yet less than 5% of production is exported.
Australian lentil grain is exported to over 40 countries including India, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Spain, Mauritius and France. Canada also produces large exportable quantities of both red and green lentil. Canada, USA and New Zealand are major export competitors to Australia in world markets for red lentil, and the volume and carry-over stocks impact on world prices.
For Australia to expand its world market share, growers and processors need to pay particular attention to the production of high quality, food grade lentil that will compete favourably with that produced in other countries. Poorer quality lentil grain is a marketing problem. Although they eventually become saleable it will usually be at a dramatically reduced market priority and price. Lengthy storage on farm may be necessary until markets become available, if at all. Badly weathered or damaged lentil grain may not necessarily find a market in stockfeed manufacturing markets either as feed manufacturers are often not familiar with lentil and are reluctant to make temporary changes to rations. See also 'Meeting lentil market requirements'.
At the time of planting for the Australian lentil crop, the Indian rabi production will be known and predicted Canadian and USA lentil sowing intentions will be published. Decisions on whether to sow lentils in Australia can be made based on current world production estimates and apparent deficiencies or likely surpluses.The Canadian and Turkish crop is harvested before the Australian crop, so this can impact on the demand and prices for Australian product, as can the expectations for the Indian lentil harvest. However, much can happen between the Australian sowing time and having product ready to export.
Building a relationship with a trusted lentil buyer or marketer will usually be very worthwhile.
National receival standards for lentil are set by the pulse industry and maintained by Pulse Australia. Receival and export standards reflect the market requirements for a quality food product. Varieties are segregated with only 1% maximum off-type variety grain allowed. Allowance for up to 1% contrasting colours of seed coat is allowable in specific varieties with that genetic trait (e.g. PBA Blitz with pale seed coat and PBA Herald XT with dense seed speckling). Seeds of contrasting colour are not classed as defective in these designated varieties.
Delivery into number 1 grade requires low discolouration or staining of grain seed coat (1% maximum) and lentil kernel (maximum 1% poor colour kernel), as well as low insect damage and breakages (defectives 3% maximum) and minimal foreign material or impurities (3% maximum). Sizing through round and slotted screens may also occur. Failure to achieve these receival standards may mean price discounts, re-cleaning or, if severe, market rejection.
- Defective grains: includes poor coloured grains, broken, damaged and split, shrivelled, distorted, grub eaten, sprouted and affected by field mould. Do not include contrasting colours in designated varieties.
- Poor colour: if seed coat or cotyledon colour is distinctly blemished and/or off-colour from the characteristic colour of the predominate class, including the 1% visible ascochyta.
- Contrasting colours: For designated varieties, contrasting colour of seed coat is seeds of the same variety that genetically has contrasting colours of seed coats.
- Foreign material: includes unmillable material and all foreign vegetable matter (includes cereals, wild oats, oilseeds, other legumes and weed seeds not otherwise specified).
- Unmillable material: includes soil, stones, metal and non-vegetable matter.
Nominated foreign weed examples
- Type 1 (4 per 200 g): three-cornered Jack
- Type 2: (nil per 200 g): wild garlic, coriander and any other tainting agents
- Type 3a (1 per 200 g in total): Bathurst burr, caltrop
- Type 3b (2 per 200 g total): vetches (tares)
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