From Financialexpress · Sandip Das · · 1m 10s
No plan to reduce pulse import duties
India's government says no cut to pulse import duties despite rising prices and El Nino risks.
In brief
India's government says no cut to pulse import duties despite rising prices and El Nino risks. India's government will not reduce import duties on pulses as domestic and global supplies remain stable amid El Nino concerns. Originally reported by Financialexpress.
Government stance on pulse duties
The government says no plan to cut import duties on pulses despite price rises and El Nino risks.
“Despite the threat of el nino, domestic kharif crop prospects have not been significantly impacted while there is ample global supply. So we are not contemplating cutting duties on pulse imports currently”
Current pulse import duties
India imports 18%-20% of annual pulse consumption from canada, russia, brazil, myanmar and africa.
“India imports about 18%-20% of its annual pulse consumption, tur, urad, masoor (lentils), yellow peas and bengal gram, from canada, russia, brazil, myanmar and africa”
Recent duty changes
In november 2025, a 30% duty on yellow peas ended duty-free imports from december 2023.
“In november 2025, the government imposed a 30% import duty on yellow peas, a cheaper variant of gram, ending duty-free imports of the pulse variant from december 2023”
Duty extensions
Lentils face 10% duty until end of fiscal year 2027.
“In march 2025, a 10% import duty on lentils was imposed and these levies have been extended till the end of fy27”
Buffer stocks
Current pulse buffer stocks at 4.5 million tonnes exceed normal 3.5 million tonne level.
“Current buffer of pulses has risen to a record 4.5 million tonne (mt), which will be used to curb price rises in case of any shortfall in kharif output and forthcoming rabi or winter crop prospects”
Price increases
Tur prices rose 12% to rs 129.61/kg, gram up 5% to rs 91.14/kg, urad up 9% to rs 124.15/kg.
“Average retail prices of major pulse variants, tur, gram and urad, increased to rs 129.61/kg, rs 91.14/kg and rs 124.15/kg on tuesday”
Next steps
Government will release buffer stocks to curb price rises once rabi crops are sown.
“The government aims to offload pulses once the sowing of rabi crops is completed”
The headline
India's government will not reduce import duties on pulses as domestic and global supplies remain stable amid El Nino concerns.
