Need to Curb Soaring Pulse Imports

25-Apr-2025 08:53 PM

New Delhi, April 2025 – India’s pulse imports surged to record levels in both quantity and value during the financial year 2024–25, driven by declining domestic production and persistently high market prices. In response, the government had made all five major pulses—tur, urad, desi gram, and yellow peas—completely duty-free, removing earlier high import duties in one sweep.

This move led to an influx of imports, especially of yellow peas and desi gram, with the latter reaching an all-time high. Exporting countries capitalized on India’s dependency, hiking their prices significantly.