Canada’s Quiet Crop Champion: How Saskatchewan Lentils Conquered Global Markets

When people think of Saskatchewan agriculture, wheat often comes to mind — and rightly so. For decades, the golden grain was so prominent that it adorned the provincial government’s logo. However, over the last 50 years, Saskatchewan has cultivated another agricultural powerhouse: lentils.

What began as an experiment in crop diversification in the 1970s has turned into a billion-dollar industry and a global success story. In 2024, Saskatchewan exported nearly $2 billion CAD worth of lentils to 80 different countries, according to the Government of Saskatchewan. India remains the largest buyer, importing over $530 million CAD of lentils from the province last year.

According to Carl Potts, Executive Director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, this growth is no accident. Farmer interest in sustainable crop rotations, coupled with long-term investment in research by institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan, created the foundation for this success.

“Lentils are definitely a Canadian success story, and definitely a Saskatchewan success story,” Potts noted.

A Global Leader in Lentil Production

Canada ranks as the world’s top lentil exporter, and Saskatchewan is the beating heart of that industry. In 2024, Canadian farmers seeded 4.2 million acres of lentils and harvested nearly 2.5 million metric tonnes, with 90% of that grown in Saskatchewan. According to Statistics Canada and FAO, Canada accounts for roughly 30–35% of global lentil production annually and over 50% of global exports.

Lentils thrive in Saskatchewan’s semi-arid climate, particularly in areas with light, well-drained soils and low humidity. Potts points out that lentils prefer drier growing conditions, making them well-suited to the southern and western parts of the province, while heavier, wetter soils in other prairie regions often yield less favorable results.

Sustainability and Agronomic Value

Beyond economic value, lentils offer significant agronomic benefits. As legumes, lentils fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers in crop rotations. According to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), lentil cultivation can reduce nitrogen input needs by up to 30% for the subsequent cereal crops, while improving soil health and microbial diversity.

This makes lentils an excellent option in sustainable agriculture systems. Crop rotation with pulses like lentils has been shown to increase wheat and canola yields by 10–20% in following seasons, according to research from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Meeting Global Protein Demand

As global interest in plant-based proteins continues to grow, lentils are uniquely positioned to fill both nutritional and environmental needs. They are rich in protein (18–26%), iron, fiber, and essential amino acids, making them a key ingredient in vegetarian and vegan diets.

With global demand for plant proteins projected to exceed $40 billion USD by 2027 (MarketsandMarkets, 2023), Saskatchewan lentils stand to benefit significantly. Moreover, trade diversification has expanded exports beyond India to include Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Algeria, and the EU.

Lentils have emerged as one of Canada’s most impactful crops, with Saskatchewan leading the way in sustainable production, scientific research, and global exports. As the world shifts toward more plant-based diets and climate-resilient agriculture, lentils offer a compelling solution — grown not in tropical climates, but on the prairies of Canada. For farmers, agronomists, and food system innovators, Saskatchewan’s lentil success story offers a blueprint for sustainable agricultural growth with global reach.

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Canada’s Quiet Crop Champion: How Saskatchewan Lentils Conquered Global Markets

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