Assurance of Continued Pulse Imports from Canada

01-Dec-2025 12:03 PM

Regina. India primarily imports lentils and yellow peas from Canada, but the strong demand for increased customs duties on these two pulses has raised concerns among Canadian producers and exporters.

India currently imposes a 10 percent import duty on lentils and a 30 percent import duty on yellow peas.

If these customs duties are increased in the future, Canadian pulse exporters may face difficulties in continuing their operations in a major importing country like India.

However, it appears that India wants to assure Canada that pulse imports from there will continue to encourage Canadian farmers and sustain pea cultivation.

Last week, the Indian High Commissioner to Canada visited Saskatchewan, a major agricultural producing province, and made such indications during their talks there.

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada had previously soured, but Canada's new Prime Minister is now making a renewed effort to improve relations with India.

Leaders of both countries have agreed to initiate negotiations for a comprehensive and integrated trade agreement.

Canada remains India's largest supplier of lentils, and last year it also shipped a large quantity of yellow peas to India.

However, Canada faces stiff competition from Australia and Russia in its lentil and pea exports to the Indian market.

Canada fears that if India attempts to import more goods from Russia and Australia, its market will shrink, causing significant hardship for its producers and exporters.

In light of this, Canada wants a firm assurance from India that its continued exports to the Indian pulses market will not be stopped.

The Indian High Commissioner has provided this assurance, but this will only be effective until the Indian government imposes a complete ban on the import of yellow peas. However, lentil imports can continue.