India’s Rising Pulses Imports
India has experienced a substantial increase in pulses imports during the fiscal year 2023-24, with the volume almost doubling to 45 lakh tonnes from the previous year’s 24.5 lakh tonnes, amounting to USD 3.74 billion. This surge is largely due to a decline in domestic production, influenced by factors such as erratic weather, shifts in cropping patterns favoring more lucrative crops, pest outbreaks, and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure. In response, the Government of India has initiated several measures, including negotiating long-term import contracts with countries like Brazil and Argentina, and allowing duty-free imports of key pulses to stabilize supply and control inflation. Despite these efforts, domestic production challenges persist, making India likely to remain a significant importer of pulses in the near future.
