Turkey has turned from a lentil exporter to a lentil importer. It imported red lentils from Canada last year and tried to split them. It found that our crimsons don't split well, especially Red Wings. Turkey presumably will move to Australia as its source for reds. Australia has exclusive rights to the only crimson variety with good splitting quality.
Lairds continue to be the lentil of choice in world markets.
They trade in quantity all year. The price advantage on Lairds probably will overcome the yield advantage on other varieties. Richleas are a poor country's food. Last year, Canadian Kabulis were about 30 percent No. 1, so there wasn't much impact on global markets. If production increases 75 percent and, if we revert to a normal grade pattern, Canadian Kabulis will have to replace Mexican and California product.