The pulses trade wants the Indian Government to immediately stop the import of yellow peas as the inflow of the cheap pulse produce is seen hurting the demand for other pulses, trading and farmers.

“The Government should immediately stop imports of yellow peas, which is not required. We have already imported around 30 lakh tonnes in 2024. Yellow peas imports are hurting the trade as well as farmers because it is affecting prices of other pulses also,” said Bimal Kothari, Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the apex trade body for the sector.

Further, Kothari said the cheaper yellow peas are not just affecting the off-take of chana, but also impacting the demand for other pulses because it is very cheap. “Yellow peas are priced at 32 a kg, and the dal made out of yellow peas is ₹40. If you look at other dals, they are ruling over ₹100 a kg. So, you know, this is impacting...,” Kothari said.

Current prices

Yellow pea prices are ruling around ₹3,300 per quintal in Mumbai, ₹3,620 in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and ₹3,237 in Gandhidham (Gujarat), per the live spot prices polled by NCDEX.

The Government allowed duty-free import of yellow peas in December 2023 to boost the domestic supplies and contain price rise on anticipation of lower than expected chana crop last year. It is estimated that imports of yellow peas during the calendar year 2024 are said to have exceeded 29.68 lakh tonnes. The duty-free import of yellow peas has been extended and allowed till February 28. The overall pulses imports during calendar 2024 are estimated to be at a record exceeding 66 lakh tonnes.

Meanwhile, the new crop arrivals of chana for the ongoing rabi season has started in States such as Karnataka and Maharashtra and prices are trending lower, closer to MSP levels.

“Farmers should get their prices for the rabi crop. So, the government should immediately stop these yellow peas because every time they extend it by 2 months or 3 months, it is not helping anybody. Rather, it is harming the trade as well as farmers.

“And if we continue the import of the cheaper pulses like this, on one side we are increasing the minimum support price for all pulses and on the other side we are allowing the import of cheaper pulses. In fact, it is not importing, it is dumping that is taking place. So, this should be completely avoided because this will hurt the farmers,” Kothari said.

Above MSP landed price

Kothari said there was a need for a balanced policy to achieve self reliance in pulses. “The import should be always more than the minimum support price. It should not be less than the minimum support price. Otherwise, it is going to hurt the Indian farmers.” he said.

Rahul Chauhan of IGrain India said the demand for all pulses — mainly chana, tur, urad and masur — has reduced due to the availability of cheaper yellow peas. Considering that huge quantity of imports have taken place, the Government should stop the imports, he said.