35% Decline in Pulses Import Expenditure

17-Apr-2026 11:48 AM

New Delhi. Due to relatively softer global market prices and reduced import volumes, a significant decline was recorded in both the quantity of pulses imported and the expenditure incurred on them during the financial year 2025-26.

According to available data, the expenditure on pulses imports dropped by 35 percent—from a record high of $5.44 billion in the financial year 2024-25—to stand at $3.57 billion in the financial year 2025-26 (April–March). In terms of Indian currency, this import expenditure also declined by 31.52 percent during the period under review, falling from ₹46,427 crore to ₹31,793 crore.

According to trade analysts, the country's total pulses imports had surged rapidly in the financial year 2024-25, reaching an all-time high of 73.20 lakh tonnes; however, in the financial year 2025-26, this figure declined to approximately 56–57 lakh tonnes.

According to the Secretary of a leading trade body—the India Pulses and Grains Association—lower import volumes were observed in the country due to the presence of carry-over stocks from the previous season and near-normal domestic production levels. On the other hand, import expenditure declined significantly as prices for various pulses remained low in key supplier nations.

Compared to 2024-25, the global market prices for major pulses—including Chana (chickpeas), Yellow Peas, Masoor (red lentils), Tur (pigeon peas), and Urad (black gram)—recorded an average decline of 10 percent during 2025-26. Despite this, there was no increase in import volumes.

During the period under review, the price of Yellow Peas fell from the range of $380–400 per tonne to $320–330 per tonne.