Australia-wide lentil expansion shows no sign of slowing
Lentils are becoming a staple in more Australian cropping rotations, with all states expanding under a growing footprint. ABARES data indicate the crop is on track to surpass its record area, as the 2025-26 planting grows beyond the 1.14 million hectares previously set by lentils’ largest ever area. The push is strongest in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, while Western Australia begins a measured comeback and Queensland grows its footprint for pulses.
Record areas in SA, VIC, and NSW
ABARES estimates show that South Australia (SA) and Victoria (VIC) are planting record areas this year, with New South Wales (NSW) following suit. The tendency toward larger lentil areas reflects diversified rotations where pulses are valued for soil health and break-crop benefits. The latest projections, summarized in Table 1, outline the dramatic shift from 2020-21 to 2025-26 and underscore a nation-wide pivot to lentils as a resilient component of farming systems.
Key state figures
For context, the 2020-21 season saw modest lentil activity in Western Australia (WA) and Queensland (QLD), but 2025-26 data signal a reorientation. NSW is forecast to jump from about 12,000 hectares in 2020-21 to around 75,000 hectares in 2025-26, while VIC’s area climbs from 261,000 hectares to roughly 530,000 hectares. SA shifts from 219,000 hectares to about 515,000 hectares, and QLD grows from a minimal footprint to about 1,100–1,200 hectares.
WA, after years of limited lupine-like pulses, is rebuilding its lentil area with new varieties and agronomic options. The state’s 2025-26 projection sits at 15,000 hectares for lentils, producing an estimated 21,000 tonnes, a notable though not record-breaking figure compared to the late-2010s highs in WA.
WA’s ALB Burdett: a regional breakthrough
A pivotal development for Western Australia is ALB Burdett, a region-specific lentil variety designed to slot between canola and cereals in planting windows. The WA DPIRD identified Burdett as especially productive when sown early in the Mount Burdett trials, located in the Wittenoom Hills district near Esperance. The cultivar’s introduction followed a tribute to Mount Burdett farmer Chris Reichstein, whose family legacy continues through a foundation supporting rural WA and ongoing DPIRD research.
ALB Burdett marks the first non-IMI-tolerant lentil released in Australia in years and brings improved resistance to botrytis grey mould, moderate tolerance to saline soils, and earlier flowering and maturity. Seednet notes that while Burdett did not gain a national release, its strong Esperance results make it a strong competitor to established varieties like PBA Bolt in WA’s market. Early indications suggest Burdett could account for roughly 2,000 hectares of WA lentil plantings next season, concentrated in the Esperance region and pockets north of Perth.
QLD’s early lentil trials point to future expansion
In Queensland, a CSIRO trial at Wellcamp (near Toowoomba) is spotlighting the potential of lentils in northern farming systems. The Seednet variety ALB Terrier, alongside PBA Kelpie XT, forms a core part of Queensland’s lentil area, which ABARES records as exceeding 1,000 hectares in multiple seasons. The FAHMA project (Frost and Heat Management Analytics) seeks to quantify frost and heat stress impacts on pulses and other crops, aiming to improve yield loss prediction and management strategies through field data and sensor technology.
Industry outlook and adoption
Growers are increasingly adopting lentils to diversify rotations and enhance soil health, with earlier sowing typically favored to maximize yield and exploit favorable moisture windows. Trials across WA and QLD emphasize the importance of timing, variety selection, and disease resistance as drivers of adoption. As climate variability continues to shape agricultural decisions, lentils offer a resilient option with the potential to stabilize farm income when integrated into well-planned rotations.
Conclusion: a nation-wide pulse expansion in progress
From WA’s new Burdett to QLD’s Wellcamp trials and record-area expectations in SA, VIC, and NSW, Australia’s lentil footprint is expanding. This growth reflects a strategic shift toward pulses within diverse cropping systems, leveraging new varieties, targeted agronomy, and a robust research pipeline to deliver resilient yields across varied environments.
