Urad Imports Dip Slightly in First Quarter

18-Jul-2025 01:30 PM

Chennai. Despite softening prices in the domestic market, India continues to import a substantial quantity of urad, with Myanmar remaining its primary supplier.

Smaller quantities are also being imported from Brazil. For the 2024-25 season, the Central Government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of urad by ₹400, raising it from ₹7,400 to ₹7,800 per quintal. Sowing of urad is progressing actively across major producing states during the Kharif season.

In the first quarter of the current financial year (April–June 2025), urad imports are estimated at 1,92,119 tonnes, slightly lower by 7,740 tonnes compared to 1,99,859 tonnes during the same period last year. Imports surged from 55,436 tonnes to 98,798 tonnes in April, but are estimated to decline to 51,604 tonnes in May (from 77,775 tonnes last year) and to 41,717 tonnes in June (from 66,649 tonnes last year).

Available data shows that urad imports during the entire financial year 2024-25 (April–March) are expected to rise sharply to a record 8,20,257 tonnes.

This is significantly higher than the imports of 6,24,222 tonnes in 2023-24, 5,24,813 tonnes in 2022-23, and 6,11,611 tonnes in 2021-22. Earlier, under the annual quota system, urad imports stood at 3,44,790 tonnes in 2020-21 and 3,12,078 tonnes in 2019-20.

The government has extended the duty-free import window for urad, similar to tur and yellow peas, until 31 March 2026. Myanmar has produced a good crop of urad this year, with ample exportable stock, ensuring smooth supply for Indian importers. Chennai port remains the primary entry point for urad imports.