Jumbo 2 and Highland XT lentils growing side by side pictured in November in an exceptionally late season in the southern Mallee. Photo: Alistair Ferrier, Nutrien, Birchip

AUSTRALIA exported 62,526 tonnes of chickpeas and 26,900t of lentils in November, according to the latest export data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Compared with the October shipment figures, the chickpea total is up 12pc from 55,906t, while the lentil figure has plunged 54pc from 58,355t.

Pakistan on 42,832t accounted for 69pc of Australia’s chickpea exports in November, with Bangladesh on 7586t and Nepal on 4023t the second and third-biggest markets.

On lentils, Egypt on 9387t followed by Sri Lanka on 7363t and India on 5013t were the three biggest markets.

The jump in chickpea volume shipped in November reflects new-crop availability out of Central Queensland.

On lentils, the plunge reflects the long delay in the South Australian and Victorian crops caused by an unusually mild and wet growing season.

Table 1: Australian chickpea exports for September, October and November 2022. Source: ABS

Table 2: Australian lentil exports for September, October and November 2022. Source: ABS