News Capsule: India: Possibility of Decline in Pulse Imports
31-Jan-2026 11:11 AM
News Capsule: India: Possibility of Decline in Pulse Imports
★ Due to a strong rabi pulse crop in India, pulse imports may remain limited in 2026.
★ Lentil production is estimated at 1.8 million tonnes, up from 1.65 million tonnes last year.
★ Chickpea acreage has increased by 5 percent to 23.7 million acres; with normal yields, production could reach around 9.5 million tonnes.
★ Strong domestic availability is expected to put pressure on demand for peas, chickpeas, and lentils.
★ India has imposed a 30 percent import duty on peas since November 2025, while lentils and chickpeas attract a 10 percent import duty.
★ India’s pea imports had already declined in 2025. Record imports in 2024 ensured ample availability.
★ Good availability led to a fall in prices, resulting in heavy losses for many importers and traders; several small and mid-sized traders exited the business.
★ At present, only large companies are actively engaged in imports.
★ Considering all these factors, overall pulse imports may decline.
★ Imports of tur (pigeon pea) and urad (black gram) may remain near last year’s levels or even higher, but imports of chickpeas, peas, and lentils are likely to fall.