India’s duty-free import of yellow peas may end soon

The Indian authorities may not prolong duty-free import of yellow peas past February, Meals and Client Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi stated on Thursday. However he clarified {that a} determination can be taken by a committee of ministers headed by Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

“We’re stopping the free import coverage for yellow peas, which is legitimate till end of this month,” Joshi advised reporters in Delhi after inaugurating the Pulses Conclave 2025, organised by India Pulses and Grain Affiliation (IPGA). The Meals Ministry has shared its feedback with the panel already.

The federal government had allowed the duty-free import of yellow peas in December 2023, which was legitimate till March 31, 2024, and prolonged it for a month in until April 30, 2024.

Earlier restrictions

Nevertheless, after assessing the crop arrival of gram (chana), subsequently the free import coverage was prolonged till June 30, 2024, then once more till October 31, 2024, and additional till December 31, 2024. However on December 24 final yr, the federal government prolonged the free coverage till February 28, 2025.

Earlier than the free import coverage was launched, import of yellow peas have been allowed, topic to an annual (fiscal yr) quota, and likewise with a Minimal Import Value (MIP) of ₹200 and above per kilogram (CIF worth at Indian port). Imports have been additionally allowed solely by way of designated Kolkata Sea port. The fundamental customs obligation of 10 per cent and Agriculture Infrastructure and Growth Cess of 40 per cent (making efficient obligation 50 per cent) was additionally faraway from December 8, 2023.

However, authorities’s import commitments beneath any bilateral or regional commerce settlement have been stored out of the purview of the restriction.

IPGA Chairman Bimal Kothari stated the federal government ought to impose restrictions on yellow peas import within the curiosity of farmers.

“We count on that this (duty-free import of yellow peas) may not be prolonged or there is perhaps some restrictions on import,” he advised media after the inaugural session.

Report imports

He stated that India’s report import of 6.7 million tonnes (mt) of pulses, together with 3 mt of yellow peas throughout calendar yr 2024 shouldn’t be going to be repeated and it may drop this yr.

“Our pulses manufacturing was badly hit final yr and the costs have been excessive so we needed to import. However I don’t assume this yr we’re going to import related amount, it will likely be a lot much less,” he stated. With seemingly curbs on the import of yellow peas, Kothari stated the nation’s total pulses import may decline in FY26 from the estimated 5.5 mt in present fiscal because of increased home manufacturing.

The trade expects the federal government to impose a 15-20 per cent import obligation on yellow peas.