Cheap Yellow Peas Disrupt Demand for Other Pulses

India’s pulses trade is urging the government to immediately stop yellow pea imports, citing a significant negative impact on the demand and pricing of other pulses.

“The government should immediately ban yellow pea imports because we have already brought in around 3 million tonnes this year,” said Bimal Kothari, Chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA). He stressed that these imports are hurting both traders and farmers, leading to price drops in other pulses.

Price Pressure on Other Pulses

The availability of cheap yellow peas has slowed the sales of chana (chickpeas), tur (pigeon peas), urad (black gram), and masur (red lentils). Kothari pointed out that yellow peas are priced at  (USD 0,38 per kg), while the dal processed from them sells at  (USD 0,48 per kg). In contrast, other pulses cost over  (USD 1,20 per kg), making yellow peas a far cheaper alternative.

Current Market Prices

As per live spot prices on NCDEX, yellow peas are currently priced at:

• USD 0,40 per kg in Mumbai
• USD 0,44 per kg in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• USD 0,39 per kg in Gandhidham, Gujarat

Government’s Import Policy and Concerns

In December 2023, the government allowed duty-free imports of yellow peas to stabilize domestic supplies and prevent price surges amid concerns over a lower-than-expected chana crop. Since then, India has imported nearly 2,97 million tonnes of yellow peas in 2024 alone. The duty-free import policy, initially set to expire, has now been extended until February 28. Overall, pulses imports this year have surpassed 6,6 million tonnes—a record high.

However, new chana crop arrivals in Karnataka and Maharashtra are pushing prices closer to the minimum support price (MSP), causing further concern among farmers.

Traders and Farmers Demand Action

Kothari emphasized that continued yellow pea imports contradict the government's push for higher MSPs on pulses. He believes the market is being flooded with cheap imports, negatively affecting domestic farmers.

Rahul Chauhan from IGrain India supported this stance, warning that yellow peas have dampened demand across all pulses. He called for an immediate halt to further imports to prevent additional damage.

Finding a Balance in Import Policy

Kothari suggested that future import policies should ensure that landed prices of imported pulses remain above MSP levels to protect Indian farmers. “We need a balanced policy. Imports should not be priced lower than MSP, or else domestic farmers will suffer,” he stated.

What’s Next for Buyers and Traders?

With new chana arrivals and potential import restrictions on yellow peas, pulses prices could rise in the coming months. Traders should monitor policy decisions closely, while buyers may want to stock up on cheaper pulses before restrictions take effect.





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