India has set a new record in pulses import bill, crossing over $5 billion for the current financial year due to increased purchases of tur (pigeon peas/arhar) and chickpeas (chana or gram). According to the Commerce Ministry’s quick estimates, pulses imports reached $5.03 billion during the April-February period of fiscal 2024-25, marking a significant increase of 58.75% compared to $3.17 billion in the previous year. In rupee terms, imports totaled a record ₹42,629 crore during the same period – a 62% increase over ₹26,318 crore from the previous year.
Although official figures in volume terms have not been disclosed yet, estimations indicate that pulses imports during April-Feb 2024-25 were around 62.52 lakh tonnes. This includes record imports of desi chickpeas, tur, yellow peas, lentils, and urad. The surge in imports has been attributed to the record purchase of tur, higher volumes of chickpeas and yellow peas.
To address the domestic shortfall in pulses production, the government allowed duty-free imports of chickpeas, tur, urad, and yellow peas. However, critics like Bimal Kothari, Chairman of India Pulses and Grains Association, argue that the policy of duty-free imports has led to a decrease in prices below the minimum support levels, negatively impacting farmers and the domestic market. Kothari suggests that the government should reevaluate its import policy to ensure the self-reliance campaign in pulses is not compromised.
Overall, the increased pulses import bill reflects the challenges and opportunities in India’s agriculture sector, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to trade and domestic production.
