Duty free import period of yellow peas extended amid heavy import of pulses

25-Dec-2024 02:04 PM

The Indian government has extended the duty-free import period for yellow peas until February 28, 2025, in response to heavy imports of yellow peas and other pulses like tuvar, urad, masoor, and desi gram.

Initially set to end on December 31, 2024, this extension will allow the continuous import of yellow peas, which have been flooding the market.

This surge in imports has led to increased pressure on domestic pulse prices. For instance, the price of Tuvar has dropped to Rs 7930 per quintal, higher than its Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 7550. Similarly, prices of Urad and Moong have fallen below their MSPs.

This price decline is affecting the sowing of Rabi pulses, with a noticeable decrease in the area allocated for pulse cultivation.

Additionally, the global pulse trade shows a significant shift. In October 2024, Australia exported a large amount of Desi gram to India, with 82,481 tonnes of the 1,09,622 tonnes exported going to the Indian market.

This marks a record for gram imports from Australia. Meanwhile, Canada has been a major exporter of yellow peas to India, with 5,94,514 tonnes of yellow peas shipped from August to October 2024, compared to none during the same period in the previous year.

Other countries, including Russia, are also contributing to India's rising import volumes of yellow peas.

Overall, the continued heavy import of pulses is impacting domestic prices and sowing trends, even as the extended duty-free period for yellow peas ensures the flow of imports until February 2025.