Green Lentils & Red Lentils Canada

BroadGrain’s Dafoe, Saskatchewan pulse facility sits at the heart of Canada’s lentil-growing region. Nearly 85–90% of Canada’s lentils are produced in Saskatchewan’s rich prairie soils, making it one of the most productive lentil regions in the world.

At our Dafoe facility, BroadGrain handles and markets three key types of Canadian lentils — Green Laird (large green), Green Eston (small green), and Red Crimson. As a trusted Canadian lentil processor, we specialize in whole green and red lentils, ensuring traceability and quality from field to shipment, reinforcing our role as a reliable Canadian lentils exporter.

Canadian Laird Lentils

- Type: Large green lentil
- Seed size: 6–7 mm diameter
- Coat color: Green seed coat with a yellow cotyledon
- Origin: Developed at the University of Saskatchewan in 1978 (CDC)

Traits:

- Benchmark Canadian green lentil for decades
- Known for uniform large seeds, excellent cooking quality, and high yield potential
- Often used for whole-seed cooking and premium export markets across Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

Canadian Eston Lentils

- Type: Small green lentil
- Seed size: ~3–4 mm diameter
- Coat color: Light green seed coat with yellow cotyledon
- Origin: Also developed by the University of Saskatchewan (CDC) in the 1980s.

Traits:

- Preferred in markets that favor smaller seeds
- Faster cooking time and slightly stronger flavor than Laird.
- More tolerant to drought-prone and variable soils.

Canadian Crimson Lentils

- Type: Red lentil
- Seed size: ~4–5 mm diameter
- Coat color: Tan to light brown seed coat; red/orange cotyledon
- Origin: Derived Canadian breeding lines; common in Canada’s red lentil production, especially in southern Saskatchewan.

Traits:

- Processed intosplit red lentils for soups, curries, and dals
- High protein content (~25%) and rapid cooking time after dehulling

Canada’s Lentil Advantage

Saskatchewan’s combination of fertile prairie soil, dry climate, and long summer days provides ideal growing conditions for lentils.
BroadGrain’s Canadian lentil facility in Dafoe is strategically located to source directly from surrounding farms, maintaining traceability, quality, and consistency across every shipment.