A massive 6.569 million tons of pulses will be imported in 2025
25-Feb-2026 12:42 PM
New Delhi. Although India's yellow pea imports declined significantly in 2025 compared to 2024, higher-than-normal imports of Desi gram and Black gram resulted in a decline of less than 5 percent in total pulse imports. According to official data, the country's record pulse imports during 2024 were 6.875 million tons, which fell by approximately 300,000 tons, or 4.5 percent, to 6.569 million tons in 2025. This figure is also a significant increase.
In November 2025, the government imposed a 30 percent customs duty on yellow pea imports, impacting its imports. However, there was no decrease in the enthusiasm and attraction of Indian importers towards Desi gram and Black gram. According to official data, during the entire period (January-December) of 2024, the country imported a huge 29.39 lakh tonnes of yellow peas, which declined by 56 percent to 12.90 lakh tonnes in 2025. In 2025, the highest import of yellow peas was 8.82 lakh tonnes from Canada.
This was followed by 3.21 lakh tonnes from Russia, 33,532 tonnes from Latvia and 22,261 tonnes from Argentina. On the other hand, during the year under review, the import of Desi gram jumped by 301 percent from 3.94 lakh tonnes to 15.81 lakh tonnes. Under this, a huge import of 14.23 lakh tonnes was made from Australia alone, while 1.48 lakh tonnes was imported from Tanzania and 3936 tonnes from Myanmar.
Similarly, the import of black gram also increased by 41 percent in 2025 as compared to the year 2024. In the year 2025, 8.09 lakh tonnes of black gram was imported from Myanmar and 2.37 lakh tonnes from Brazil.
The import of lentils also increased by 10.61 percent and reached 10.60 lakh tonnes. Under this, 5.75 lakh tonnes of black gram was imported from Canada, 3.91 lakh tonnes from Australia, 37,746 tonnes from America, 16,699 tonnes from United Arab Emirates and 40,148 tonnes from other countries.
Apart from this, the import of pigeon pea also increased by 5.42 percent from 12.57 lakh tonnes to 13.25 lakh tonnes. Its maximum import was 5.20 lakh tonnes from Mozambique, while 3.46 lakh tonnes from Myanmar, 3.02 lakh tonnes from Tanzania, 66,805 tonnes from Malawi and 38,525 tonnes of tur was imported from Sudan.