Limited Impact on Pulses Market After Import Duty Imposed on Yellow Peas

03-Nov-2025 04:17 PM

Mumbai: Although the central government has imposed a 30% import duty on yellow peas, effective November 1, 2025, trade analysts believe this move will have only a limited impact on the domestic pulses market. This is because global prices of yellow peas have already declined sharply, reducing the potential effect of the duty.

While there may be a minor psychological impact on market sentiment, no major price fluctuations are expected. Analysts point out that imports have not been banned, but merely made costlier through the duty, meaning shipments from Canada and Russia will continue.

Alongside yellow peas, India continues to import tur (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), desi chana (chickpea), and masoor (lentil). Import duties currently stand at 10% each on chickpeas and lentils, while tur and urad imports remain duty-free until March 31, 2026.

Moreover, shipments of yellow peas with a bill of lading dated on or before October 31, 2025, will not be subject to duty, and such consignments will continue to arrive at Indian ports over the next 30–40 days. As a result, domestic supply conditions are expected to remain smooth, preventing sharp price volatility.

Fresh arrivals of kharif pulses, especially urad and moong, have already begun, and tur harvesting is set to commence within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, rabi sowing for key pulses such as chickpeas, lentils, and peas is underway. In the 2024–25 season, the chickpea acreage fell from 10.5 million hectares (2023–24) to 9.8 million hectares, though production improved to 11.3 million tonnes due to favorable weather. For the 2025–26 rabi season, chickpea acreage may recover slightly, given improved growing conditions.

Overall, the pulses market remains stable, with limited fluctuations amid normal trading activity.