Pulse Import Pacts with Myanmar & Africa Likely to Be Extended
06-Dec-2025 12:37 PM
New Delhi. The Indian government is considering extending the five-year government-level pulse import agreement with Myanmar, Mozambique, and Malawi, which is set to expire soon.
According to senior official sources, the extension is expected for another five years, starting with the fiscal year 2025-26. While an inter-ministerial committee has already approved this extension, a final order will require contact with the three supplier countries—Myanmar,
Mozambique, and Malawi—and diplomatic discussions. The Ministry of External Affairs will hold discussions with these countries, and only after both sides reach agreement will the government formally announce the extension.
It is noteworthy that India has signed agreements with these countries to import a certain annual quantity of black gram and pigeon pea on flexible terms.
This agreement was signed five years ago and included a provision that, if necessary, an extension would be decided upon with the consent of both parties. Under this agreement, India imports 100,000 tons of tur (tur) and 250,000 tons of urad (black gram) annually from Myanmar, 200,000 tons of tur (tur) from Mozambique, and 50,000 tons of tur (tur) from Malawi.
The agreement provides for a total annual import of 350,000 tons of tur (tur) and 250,000 tons of urad (black gram).
It is understood that if the agreement is extended, the import volume of pulses will be maintained at current levels.
However, the process is not yet complete, and it remains to be seen whether the exporting countries agree to this.
However, obtaining consent from these countries is expected to be easy, as their tur and urad production largely depends on the Indian market.
The government has estimated domestic tur production at 3.6 million tons during the 2025-26 season, which is significantly lower than the annual average consumption of 4.4-4.5 million tons. Consequently, the country will continue to require significant imports of tur in the future.