The Indian government may not extend duty-free import of yellow peas beyond February, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. But he clarified that a decision will be taken by a committee of ministers headed by Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
“We are stopping the free import policy for yellow peas, which is valid until end of this month,” Joshi told reporters in Delhi after inaugurating the Pulses Conclave 2025, organised by India Pulses and Grain Association (IPGA). The Food Ministry has shared its comments with the panel already.
The government had allowed the duty-free import of yellow peas in December 2023, which was valid until March 31, 2024, and extended it for a month in till April 30, 2024.
Earlier restrictions
However, after assessing the crop arrival of gram (chana), subsequently the free import policy was extended until June 30, 2024, then again until October 31, 2024, and further until December 31, 2024. But on December 24 last year, the government extended the free policy until February 28, 2025.
Before the free import policy was introduced, import of yellow peas were allowed, subject to an annual (fiscal year) quota, and also with a Minimum Import Price (MIP) of ₹200 and above per kilogram (CIF value at Indian port). Imports were also allowed only through designated Kolkata Sea port. The basic customs duty of 10 per cent and Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess of 40 per cent (making effective duty 50 per cent) was also removed from December 8, 2023.
But, government’s import commitments under any bilateral or regional trade agreement were kept out of the purview of the restriction.
IPGA Chairman Bimal Kothari said the government should impose restrictions on yellow peas import in the interest of farmers.
“We expect that this (duty-free import of yellow peas) may not be extended or there might be some restrictions on import,” he told media after the inaugural session.
Record imports
He said that India’s record import of 6.7 million tonnes (mt) of pulses, including 3 mt of yellow peas during calendar year 2024 is not going to be repeated and it may drop this year.
“Our pulses production was badly hit last year and the prices were high so we had to import. But I don’t think this year we are going to import similar quantity, it will be much less,” he said. With likely curbs on the import of yellow peas, Kothari said the country’s overall pulses import may decline in FY26 from the estimated 5.5 mt in current fiscal due to higher domestic production.
The industry expects the government to impose a 15-20 per cent import duty on yellow peas.
