India may import pulses

The Chairman of the Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), Zaverchand Bheda, recently pointed out that owing to unprecedented rainfall in the major growing regions (including Madhya Pradesh) during October and November, as much as 50% of the urad pulse crop was damaged. “While India’s pulse imports are expected to jump significantly to meet the deficit, much would depend upon the government policies with opening up import beyond the quota fixed for the current year,” stated Bheda. 

India’s annual demand for pulses is pegged at around 26 million tonnes. According to experts, the country’s pulse imports for the 2019-20 growing year are likely to surpass last year’s, which totaled 2.37 million tonnes.