Government to End Duty-Free Import of Yellow Peas
NEW DELHI: The Indian government has announced it will not extend the duty-free import of yellow peas beyond February 2024. Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed this decision, which follows a series of extensions initially granted in December 2023 to address rising prices of tur dal.
Impact on Farmers and Imports
Minister Joshi stated, “We are stopping the duty-free import of yellow peas,” while attending the Pulses Conclave. Sources indicate that the issue is set to be discussed by the Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Home Minister Amit Shah next week. The food ministry has submitted its comments, and the GoM will make a final decision regarding the customs duty on yellow peas.
Industry Perspectives
Bimal Kothari, chairman of the India Pulses and Grain Association (IPGA), highlighted that restrictions on yellow peas imports may be imposed in the interest of farmers. Kothari noted, “We expect that this (duty-free import of yellow peas) may not be extended or there might be some restrictions on import.” In the 2024 calendar year, India’s yellow peas import reached 30 lakh tonnes out of a total pulses import of 67 lakh tonnes.
Looking Ahead
With potential curbs on yellow peas imports, Kothari anticipates a decline in the overall pulses import in the 2025-26 fiscal year, down from an estimated 5.5 million tonnes in the current year, due to increased domestic production.
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