A market analyst is expecting lentil prices for Saskatchewan producers to remain relatively strong this crop year.

Marlene Boersch from Mercantile Consulting says Saskatchewan will be hard-pressed to meet market demand this year because of the drought-reduced crop.

India and Turkey are two of the key markets for lentils.

Boersch sees little pressure on prices until next year’s crop is defined.

Current lentil prices are hovering over $28.00 a bushel, and Saskatchewan provides a huge share of the world market.

She spoke at this week’s Special Crops convention.

Australia is expected to have a decent sized red lentil crop in a couple months, but analysts feel it is not sufficient to make up for a Canadian shortfall.

Canada provides 45 percent of the global lentil market, with nearly all coming from Saskatchewan.