Import of pulses and edible oils from Brazil to India is likely to increase

21-Dec-2024 08:12 PM

India's imports of pulses and edible oils, particularly from Brazil, are set to increase significantly. The production of urad (black gram) in Brazil has grown substantially due to strong demand from India. In 2023, Brazil produced 10,000 tonnes of urad, but this figure is expected to rise nearly fourfold to 40,000 tonnes in 2024, with projections indicating a further doubling of production in 2025. Brazil's increased urad production is likely to contribute more to India's imports, with data showing that between April and October 2024, India imported 21,258 tonnes of urad from Brazil, a significant rise from 4,000 tonnes during the entire previous year.

The soybean oil import from Brazil is also anticipated to grow. Brazil's soybean production is expected to reach a record 1,700 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season, which will likely boost exports, including to India. In addition to these pulses, Brazil's growing agricultural output may drive up imports of sunflower oil as well, which India already sources in large quantities.

While India's domestic production of urad has declined, its imports have surged to meet growing demand. The country's urad production is expected to drop to 12.09 lakh tonnes in the current kharif season, down from 16.04 lakh tonnes last year. As a result, India's reliance on international suppliers, particularly Brazil, is set to increase in the coming months.