The government has decided to extend the free import policy for urad until March 31, 2026, due to a shortfall in domestic production. The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification on Monday to extend the duty-free urad imports, which were initially set to end on March 31, 2025.
The decision to extend the duty-free urad imports comes in light of the expected lower production of urad at 17.99 lakh tonnes for the 2024-25 season, down from 20.91 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Bimal Kothari, chairman of India Pulses and Grains Association, stated that the domestic requirement for urad is around 30 lakh tonnes, while production is only over 20 lakh tonnes. He also mentioned that urad imports are expected from Myanmar and Brazil, with Brazil anticipated to contribute around 1.5 lakh tonnes.
Furthermore, the import of urad in the current financial year from April to January is estimated at 6.73 lakh tonnes, higher than the same period last year. The government has also extended the import window for tur (Red gram) until March 31, 2026. Additionally, the duty-free imports of yellow peas have also been extended, with a notification issued by the DGFT on Monday stating that yellow peas can be imported without the minimum import price condition until May 31, 2025.
Overall, the decision to extend the duty-free imports of urad aims to meet the domestic demand for the crop and stabilize prices, which have eased and are slightly above the minimum support price. The government’s actions reflect the need to address the shortfall in domestic production and ensure an adequate supply of pulses in the market.
