Announcement Expected Regarding Import Duties on Peas and Lentils

31-Mar-2026 05:33 PM

New Delhi. The Central Government is likely to make an announcement today regarding import duties on yellow peas and lentils. Currently, an import duty of 30 percent applies to yellow peas for all countries, while a customs duty of 11 percent is levied on lentils. In India, yellow peas are primarily imported from Canada and Russia, whereas lentils are imported from Canada and Australia.

In 2025, there was a massive influx of imports of these two pulses, as the duties on them had been suspended. This measure was undertaken with the objective of boosting supply and availability within the domestic market, as well as controlling prices. The process of duty suspension had commenced as early as 2024. Changes to the import duty structure were subsequently implemented during the final months of 2025.

Since India is the largest buyer of Canadian peas and lentils, any alteration in the import duty structure here could have a direct impact on Canada. The sowing season for these two pulse crops is set to begin shortly in Canada; consequently, growers there are keeping a keen watch on the Indian government's announcement. The Canadian Prime Minister visited India during the first week of March and held discussions with the Indian Prime Minister.