India`s Pulses Imports Surge to Record 66.33 Lakh Tonnes in 2024 by Amit Gupta, Kedia Advisory
India's pulses imports soared to a record 66.33 lakh tonnes in 2024, nearly doubling from the previous year. The surge was driven by increased yellow pea imports after the government allowed duty-free shipments to address a shortfall in domestic chana production. Imports of tur and urad also hit all-time highs, with the import share making up 25% of India's total pulses consumption. This increase came in response to erratic climate conditions affecting domestic pulses output. The government has extended the duty-free import window for tur until 2026 to ensure adequate supply.
Key Highlights
* Pulses imports nearly doubled to 66.33 lakh tonnes in 2024.
* Yellow pea imports surged to 29.68 lakh tonnes.
* Tur and urad imports reached all-time highs of 12.33 lakh and 7.65 lakh tonnes.
* Chana imports increased four-fold to 5.74 lakh tonnes.
* Imported pulses now account for 25% of India’s consumption.
India’s pulses imports surged significantly in 2024, reaching an all-time high of 66.33 lakh tonnes, nearly doubling from the previous year. This sharp increase can be attributed to the government's decision to make pulses imports duty-free to address shortfalls in domestic production. Yellow peas were the major contributor, with imports touching 29.68 lakh tonnes, following the government's move to allow duty-free imports in December 2023. The import window for yellow peas has been extended until February 2025, in response to a shortfall in chana production.
In addition to yellow peas, imports of other pulses such as tur and urad also saw unprecedented levels. The import of tur reached 12.33 lakh tonnes, while urad imports were estimated at 7.65 lakh tonnes. The surge in chana imports was remarkable, as it saw a four-fold increase, from 1.31 lakh tonnes in 2023 to 5.74 lakh tonnes in 2024.
Despite these record imports, India's pulses production has faced challenges. Climate change has significantly impacted domestic output, leading to a decline in production from 273.02 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 to 242.46 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. The government, in response, has extended the duty-free import window for tur until March 2026, ensuring continued supply.
Finally
India’s growing reliance on imported pulses highlights the challenges posed by erratic weather, but government measures aim to stabilize the market and ensure a steady supply of essential pulses.
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