Red Lentil Buying Guide: Whole, Dehulled and Split

Start with product form

“Red” describes a lentil type; it does not mean the product has necessarily been split. The Canadian Grain Commission distinguishes lentil classes by cotyledon colour, separately from seed-coat characteristics. Canadian classifications do not automatically govern contracts for other origins.

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers describes red lentils sold as whole, dehulled and dehulled split seeds. Use the following purchasing categories to request a precise offer; the table does not indicate current Zenith Eclipse stock.

Dehulled whole red lentils may be described commercially as “footballs.” Confirm that meaning with the supplier’s written description and sample; the name alone does not define polishing, size, tolerances or a grade. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers also refers to split and football processed products in its discussion of market classes.

Begin with our Red Lentils product page and the relevant dehulled whole or split red lentil page. Red lentils are not simply green lentils that have been split. Buyers comparing whole green products should use the separate Green Lentils page and its size requirements.

Reference: Canadian Grain Commission · Saskatchewan Pulse Growers · split and football processed products · Red Lentils product page · dehulled whole · split red lentil · Green Lentils page

Define the required finish

Replace “premium finish” with measurable criteria. Specify expected colour, permitted variation and the assessment method, supported by an agreed sample.

For dehulled whole products, distinguish intact seeds from unwanted splits and smaller broken pieces. For split products, define acceptable split material separately from fragments or fines. Agree how the fractions are separated and whether results are reported by weight. Clarify the treatment of remaining seed coat and incompletely dehulled seeds.

If size selection is required, state the method and size distribution. Ask whether the product is polished or unpolished and whether oil, another coating or any processing aid has been applied. Any relevant declaration should name the substance and be assessed against the buyer’s intended use and destination requirements. A shiny appearance is not a complete processing declaration.

Reference: Size-sorted red lentils · Custom-finish red lentils

Russian Red Lentils: Product Form, Origin and Processing

For an offer described as Russian red lentils, establish the declared origin and the exact product form first. Request the seller’s full identity, crop year, lot reference and available records supporting the origin claim. Then identify where cleaning, dehulling, splitting and packing were performed, where applicable.

Identify the seller, processor and packer separately. Their locations do not establish agricultural origin. Request accurate origin and processing documentation rather than inferring origin from an invoice address or loading point.

Match the sample and report to the proposed shipment lot. If processing follows sample approval, agree finished-product checks. General market information does not verify a seller or establish Zenith Eclipse availability.

Check quality against the finished product

Build the acceptance checklist around what will be delivered:

Where the buyer will process whole lentils further, arrange an appropriate trial against the buyer’s equipment and target finished product. Do not treat a trial yield as a guarantee for every batch. When buying finished splits, evaluate the delivered split product rather than relying only on a report for the unprocessed seed.

• Moisture: agree the maximum, test method, sampling stage and reporting date.
• Foreign material: define the categories and tolerances rather than relying on “cleaned.”
• Damaged or discoloured material: specify how defects are identified and measured.
• Remaining coat or husk: state the assessment basis for a dehulled product.
• Form uniformity: define whole seeds, splits, broken pieces and fines separately.
• Lot identity: link the sample, results, finished packing and shipment records.
• Destination requirements: identify relevant testing and documents with the buyer before confirming the order.

Compare quotations without losing the processing detail

Place product form, finish and quality requirements beside each quotation. A whole lentil offer and a dehulled split offer include different processing stages. Even two split offers may differ in fines, remaining coat, packaging or the documents included.

Compare Russian, Kazakhstan and other proposed origins only on confirmed, equivalent terms. No origin label establishes that a lot is universally better or cheaper. Record any exceptions, then confirm quantity, packaging, named delivery point, shipment period and payment conditions for the actual offer.

Specify pack material, net weight, marking and handling needs. Agree packaging and equipment checks, document responsibilities and receipt inspection. Discuss the proposed route through the appropriate logistics service; transport capacity and timing require individual confirmation.

Reference: logistics service

Before confirming a transaction

This article provides general purchasing information. References to a country, product type or transport option do not constitute an offer, confirmation of current availability or approval of a transaction. Any proposed business is subject to applicable legal, sanctions, banking and destination requirements.