Sharp Decline in Chickpea and Pea Imports During 2025-26

22-May-2026 03:18 PM

New Delhi.  Although there was a significant increase in the country's imports of Arhar (Tur) and Urad pulses during the 2025-26 fiscal year (April–March) compared to 2024-25, a sharp decline was recorded, conversely, in the imports of other pulses—including Desi and Kabuli chickpeas, yellow peas, and Masoor (lentils).

According to official statistics, compared to the 2024-25 fiscal year, imports of yellow peas during 2025-26 plummeted by 49 percent, settling at 11.10 lakh tonnes. During this period, the highest volume—875,515 tonnes—was imported from Canada, followed by 190,490 tonnes from Russia, while the remaining imports originated from other countries, including Argentina and Latvia. In India, only the import of yellow peas is permitted.

As for Desi chickpeas, imports of this variety declined by 33 percent during the year under review, falling to 10.10 lakh tonnes. Of this total, 836,270 tonnes were imported from Australia and 165,482 tonnes from Tanzania, while the remaining chickpeas were imported from a few other countries, including Myanmar.

Imports of other pulses—including Kabuli chickpeas, Rajma (kidney beans), and Lobia (black-eyed peas), but excluding Moong—also dropped by approximately 49 percent, contracting to 164,775 tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year. These pulses are imported from various countries across the globe. Much like in the 2024-25 fiscal year, India remained the world's largest importer of pulses during 2025-26, with total imports amounting to 59.60 lakh tonnes.