India’s pulses imports during calendar year 2025 eased marginally to 65.69 lakh tonnes, compared with 68.75 lakh tonnes in the previous year.
The 4.45 per cent decline in imports, however, masks divergent trends across key category of pulses. The decline was driven primarily by a sharp fall in yellow peas imports following the government’s decision to impose a 30 per cent duty during the year.
At the same time, the reduction in yellow peas shipments was partly offset by a notable increase in imports of chana (Bengalgram) and urad (black matpe).
As per the DGCIS category-wise import data released by the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), yellow pea imports registered a sharp decline of 56 per cent at 12.90 lakh tonnes during Jan-Dec 2025 over corresponding previous year’s 29.39 lakh tonnes. The Government had imposed a 30 per cent duty on yellow pea during November 2025.
During 2025, Canada was the largest exporter of yellow peas to India at 8.82 lakh tonnes, followed by Russia at 3.21 lakh tonnes, Latvia at 33,532 tonnes, Argentina at 26,261 tonnes.
The import of chana, however, registered a whopping 301 per cent increase during 2025 at 15.81 lakh tonnes over previous year’s 3.94 lakh tonnes. Australia was the major exporter of chana to India at 14.23 lakh tonnes, followed by Tanzania at 1.48 lakh tonnes, Burma at 3,936 tonnes among others.
Similarly, the imports of black matpe or urad also saw an increase of 41 per cent during the year on shortfall in domestic supplies. Myanmar was the largest exporter of urad to India at 8.09 lakh tonnes during 2025 followed by Brazil at 2.37 lakh tonnes.
Imports of masoor (lentils) registered a marginal growth at 10.61 lakh tonnes over previous year’s 10.60 lakh tonnes. Canada was the major origin of imports for masoor to India with 5.75 lakh tonnes, followed by Australia at 3.91 lakh tonnes, USA at 37,746 tonnes, UAE at 16,699 tonnes and others at 40,148 tonnes.
Imports of tur also registered a 5.42 per cent growth at 13.25 lakh tonnes over previous year’s 12.57 lakh tonnes. Mozambique was the largest exporter of tur during 2025 at 5.20 lakh tonnes, followed by Myanmar at 3.46 lakh tonnes, Tanzania at 3.02 lakh tonnes, Malawi 66805 tonnes, Sudan at 38525 tonnes.
The other category of pulses also registered a sharp decline of 48 per cent at 2.42 lakh tonnes during 2025 over previous year’s 4.64 lakh tonnes.
Published on February 24, 2026