India holds the distinguished position of being the foremost consumer of lentils. Throughout the 2022-23 season (Apr-Mar), there was a notable upsurge in India's total import volume of lentils, amounting to a substantial 858.44 KMT. This signifies a remarkable increase compared to the corresponding period in the preceding 2021-22 season when imports totalled 667.43 KMT of lentils. The rise in lentil imports during the 2022-23 season can be attributed to a decline in the country's own lentil production compared to the previous season.

In the 2022-23 season, Canada emerged as the primary exporter of lentils to India, accounting for 57% of India's total imports, while Australia closely followed, exporting 41% of India's total lentil imports during the same season.

During March 2023, there was a notable surge in lentil imports in India, with a substantial influx of 125 KMT compared to the 5.55 KMT imported during the same period the previous year. Australia stood out as the primary exporter during that month, shipping 90.87 KMT of lentils to India, with Canada ranking as the second-largest exporter, sending 33.79 KMT of lentils to India.

It is anticipated that total lentil imports in the 2023-24 season will reach nearly 650 KMT due to an expected increase in India’s production.