Imports of Most Pulses Declined in the Last Fiscal Year

17-Apr-2026 01:04 PM

New Delhi. Rahul Chauhan, CMD of iGrain India—a leading research firm in the agri-commodity market—states that during the 2025-26 fiscal year, compared to 2024-25, imports of almost all major pulses—with the exception of *Tur* (Pigeon Pea) and *Urad* (Black Gram) to some extent—witnessed a decline, primarily because the country held substantial carryover stocks from the previous season.

Australia had exported a record volume of *Chana* (Chickpea) to India in 2024-25, and production in that country during the 2025-26 season was also encouraging. However, producers there are unwilling to sell their *Chana* at prices below $575 per tonne; consequently, imports from that region have decreased.

According to the India Pulses and Grains Association, the global market price for Yellow Peas fell from $380–400 per tonne in 2024–25 to $320–330 per tonne during 2025–26, even after the Government of India imposed a 30 percent import duty on the commodity in November 2025.

Similarly, the global market price for *Tur* dropped from $1,000–1,100 per tonne in 2024–25 to $700–850 per tonne in 2025–26. The situation regarding *Chana* was quite similar; its price initially declined from $650 per tonne in 2024–25 to $470–480 per tonne, though it subsequently recovered to reach $510–520 per tonne.

Imports of *Chana* witnessed a massive decline of approximately 50 percent. Imports of Yellow Peas also dropped by half. The pace of *Masoor* (Lentil) imports remained sluggish, while only a limited increase was observed in the imports of *Tur* and *Urad*.

As a result, the overall volume of pulse imports declined significantly. According to the second advance estimates of the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the total domestic production of pulses is projected to decline from 256.83 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season to 238.69 lakh tonnes in the 2025-26 season.