Pulse Weekly: Supply and demand ‘sideways’ says broker

‘If prices move up, they move up big time, but they won’t drop overnight’

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Published: January 28, 2025

Pulse Weekly: Supply and demand ‘sideways’ says broker

Glacier Farm Media | MarketsFarm – Lentil prices on the Canadian Prairies were steady in late-January, which a broker noted is typical for this time of year. Marcos Mosnaim of Prairie IX said the forces of supply and demand are standing pat, leading to no price fluctuations.

“India is not in the market buying at these levels and the rest of the world is buying as they need,” Mosnaim stated.

“On the other side, if farmers don’t need to sell, they don’t need to drop their prices either,” he added.

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Mosnaim chalked this up as a new year just started with participants in the market taking a close look at their needs, and what they plan to do and not do in 2025. Also, eyes are already looking at new crop prices despite it being January.

“We’re at a time of year that if prices move up, they move up big time, but they won’t drop overnight,” Mosnaim commented, noting the lentil market will stay like this until either buyers or sellers really need to make a move. “Until then, supply and demand is pretty much moving sideways.”

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported lentil prices across Western Canada were unchanged for the week ended Jan. 27. Depending on the size, old crop Laird lentils ranged from 38.5 to 61.5 cents per pound delivered, while prices for Estons held at 38 to 54 cents/lb. Richleas were steady at 33.5 to 54 cents/lb. delivered, Crimsons at 25 to 35 cents/lb., and French at 53 to 56.5 cents/lb.

As for new crop pricing, Prairie Ag listed prices for the number ones and twos with Lairds at 45 to 48.5 cents/lb. delivered and Estons at 40 to 44 cents/lb. Richleas were at 43 to 46 cents/lb. and Crimsons at 29 to 31 cents/lb.

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