Amidst political tensions, India’s imports of lentils from Canada is increasing rapidly 

Despite diplomatic tensions after the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, India’s imports of lentils from Canada more than doubled in 2023 as the South Asian nation increased its purchases abroad due to a shortage in supply, government and industry officials told Reuters.

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared last year that Canada was “actively pursuing credible allegations” that Indian agents may have been involved in the June 2023 murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, relations between the two countries deteriorated.

However, this was only temporary, as in 2023, India’s imports of lentils from Canada increased by 120% to 851,284 metric tons.

“Canadian supplies were most competitive despite higher freight. Imports from Australia also improved because of better crop this year,” the dealer stated.

According to a government official, India’s imports of lentils increased by 162% in 2023 over the previous year to a record 1.68 million tons, at a cost of $1.25 billion.

According to a merchant located in New Delhi, the amount of lentils consumed in India has increased to almost 3 million tons, while the output has remained constant at about 1.3 million tons.

“Even in 2024 we can expect imports of more than 1.3 million tons of lentils. Lower rainfall in many producing states is affecting production,” the trader added.