U.K. Lentils Market- Trend Analysis & Forecasts

Market/ Product Overview

The U.K. lentil market has expanded significantly over the past decade, fueled by growing awareness of health benefits associated with lentils, such as their high protein and fiber content. As of 2024, total lentil consumption in the U.K. is estimated to be around **thousand tonnes, with red split lentils accounting for nearly **% of domestic usage due to their ease of cooking and versatility in local cuisines.

Retail demand continues to be buoyed by vegetarian and vegan trends, with over 3.5 million individuals identifying as vegan or vegetarian in the U.K. by 2023. This dietary shift has contributed to a sharp rise in lentil-based ready meals, soups, and snack products. Furthermore, lentils are gaining traction in institutional catering, particularly in schools and hospitals, where cost-efficiency and nutritional value are vital.

Despite rising interest in local sourcing, around 85% of lentils consumed in the U.K. are still imported, mainly from Canada, Turkey, and India. The domestic lentil farming sector, though small, is witnessing growth. In 2024, about ** thousand hectares were used for lentil cultivation, producing roughly **thousand tonnes —up from just **thousand tonnes in 2017. Initiatives like the U.K. Pulse Promotion Platform and government-led research on legume agronomy underscore the rising strategic interest in this segment.

Significance of the U.K. in Global Lentil Supply Chain

While the U.K. is not a major global producer of lentils, its role as a high-value importer makes it a critical node in the global lentil supply chain. In 2023, the U.K. ranked among the top ten lentil importers globally, importing **thousand tonnes, valued at around US$ ** million. This demand is primarily met through structured long-term contracts with Canadian suppliers, who dominate global lentil exports with a **–**% share.

The U.K.’s role is also significant in terms of setting consumer standards and quality benchmarks. British retailers, particularly large supermarket chains such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, enforce stringent traceability and sustainability criteria on imported lentils. This drives upstream improvements in agronomic practices, especially in Canada and Turkey, where many suppliers are GlobalGAP-certified.

Moreover, the U.K.’s robust food processing and retail infrastructure allows for the efficient distribution of lentils across fresh, packaged, and value-added formats. The value-added segment—comprising lentil-based soups, ready-to-eat meals, and snacks—grew at a rate of **% in 2023, underlining the market’s maturity and potential as a demand center in the global lentil value chain.

U.K. Lentil Supply & Demand Trend

Lentil consumption in the U.K. continues to rise, driven by both retail and foodservice channels. The country consumed about **thousand tonnes in 2024, up from **thousand tonnes in 2020, marking an average annual growth rate of **%. Consumer preferences are strongly inclined toward red and green lentils, though black and yellow lentils are gaining niche popularity in ethnic and gourmet segments.

On the supply side, imports dominate the market. Canada supplied nearly **thousand tonnes in 2023, accounting for around **% of total imports, while Turkey and India collectively accounted for another **%. Despite favorable climate conditions in some regions, domestic lentil production remains nascent. The U.K. harvested just under **thousand tonnes in 2023, largely concentrated in East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire, where legumes are now being rotated with wheat and oilseed rape to improve soil health and diversify crop portfolios.

With retailers emphasizing “British-grown” sourcing, there is rising interest in expanding lentil acreage. Research from the Organic Research Centre indicates that U.K. lentil yields are improving, with 2023 trials reporting average yields of 1.3–1.6 tons per hectare—still below global averages but steadily closing the gap. However, limited processing infrastructure and harvest challenges, such as weed control and moisture content management, continue to constrain domestic supply scalability.

U.K. Lentil Market Growth Factors

U.K. Lentil Market Segmentation

The U.K. lentil market can be segmented by type, form, application, and distribution channel. By type, red lentils dominate the market with nearly **% share, followed by green lentils at around **%. Red split lentils are particularly popular in soups, dals, and baby foods due to their fast-cooking time and creamy texture. Green lentils, such as Puy and Le Puy, have a niche yet premium presence, often used in gourmet salads and European cuisine.

In terms of form, the market is divided between whole lentils and split lentils. Split lentils account for over **% of retail sales by volume, driven by consumer preference for ease of preparation. Whole lentils, however, are gaining traction in bulk food and meal prep services.

By application, the food sector constitutes over **% of lentil usage, subdivided into home cooking, foodservice, and processed foods. The processed food category—lentil burgers, flours, protein isolates, and snacks—has been growing at a CAGR of **% since 2020 and is expected to hit GBP 150 million by 2030.

Distribution is largely retail-driven, with supermarkets accounting for about **% of lentil sales. Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s collectively offer over ** private-label and branded lentil SKUs. Online grocery platforms like Ocado and Amazon Fresh are also emerging as influential players, especially in the organic and bulk-buying segments. Health stores and ethnic food retailers cater to niche audiences and contribute **% to total lentil sales by volume.

U.K. Lentil Trade (Export & Import) Trend

The U.K. is a net importer of lentils, with imports exceeding ** thousand tonnes in 2023 and valued at nearly US$ ** million. Canada remains the top supplier, contributing about **% of total imports, followed by Turkey (**%) and India (**%). Lentils enter the U.K. primarily under HS Code 071340, and import tariffs on lentils from non-EU countries average between 0% and 6%, depending on bilateral trade agreements and WTO classification.

Brexit altered some trade relationships, particularly with EU countries like France and Spain, where procedural frictions have occasionally impacted lentil-based product flows. However, imports from Commonwealth countries like Canada and India have remained robust due to well-established logistical networks and favorable regulatory alignment under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

Exports are limited but growing, with niche shipments of organic or specialty lentils to Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian markets totaling around ** thousand tonnes in 2023. Export potential is linked to domestic branding and traceability certification. Organic lentils certified under Soil Association standards are priced up to **% higher in European markets, underscoring the opportunity in value-added trade.

Influence of U.K. in Global Lentil Price

Though the U.K. does not set lentil prices globally, its role as a premium market does exert price influence in specialized segments. Import prices into the U.K. averaged US$ ** per metric ton in 2023, significantly higher than the global average of US$ ** per ton. This premium pricing reflects stringent quality standards, packaging requirements, and traceability documentation.

Historically, U.K. wholesale prices for red split lentils have ranged from GBP 1.20–1.60 per kilogram over the past five years, with a slight uptick in 2022–2023 due to post-pandemic logistical issues and increased freight charges. These price points often guide export strategy for producers in Canada and Turkey, who prioritize high-margin markets like the U.K. over bulk destinations in Asia or Africa.

The U.K.’s preference for non-GMO, organic, and pesticide-residue-free lentils further drives demand-side pressure on quality-focused production, influencing upstream cost structures and supplier behavior in the global supply chain.

Market Competitive Landscape

Future Outlook

The U.K. lentil market is projected to reach a value of US$ ** million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of **% from 2024. This growth will be supported by a combination of rising health consciousness, government support for legume farming, and continued innovation in lentil-based food products.

Domestic production is likely to exceed ** thousand tonnes by 2030, as more arable farmers integrate lentils into their crop rotations, aided by agronomic advancements and processing investments. Meanwhile, imports will remain crucial, but sourcing may diversify further toward countries with aligned sustainability certifications.

Retailers and processors are expected to deepen their value-added portfolios, integrating lentils into snacks, flours, and protein blends. With increasing consumer inclination toward transparent and traceable food systems, brands that can effectively communicate origin, health benefits, and sustainability metrics will capture disproportionate market share.