New Delhi—As the festive period approaches, the administration is evaluating measures to keep pulse prices from climbing further. One of the proposals under discussion is a reduction in import duties on chickpeas and yellow peas, a step that could swell local inventories.
India depends heavily on imports to meet its pulse consumption, meaning overseas availability directly shapes domestic price movements. Market participants note that several major pulses have already edged higher in recent weeks, driven by concerns over harvests and the looming holiday demand surge.
Pulse Prices Edge Upward
At present, chickpea imports attract a 10 % tariff while yellow peas face a 30 % duty. By contrast, imports of tur and urad enjoy duty‑free treatment until 31 March 2027.
Dealers say that over the past month, prices of chickpeas, moong, peas and tur have risen by as much as 10 %. In the last week, the market recorded an additional 3–5 % climb, spurred by stronger festive demand.
Rainfall Fuels Crop‑Yield Fears
Even though the total area under kharif pulses remains relatively stable, erratic monsoon patterns are raising alarm bells. As of 4 September, about 117.13 lakh hectares had been sown, a slight increase over the 115.30 lakh hectares recorded at the same time last year.
However, the area under moong dropped to 33.19 lakh hectares from 34.23 lakh hectares a year earlier, and growers in Maharashtra and Karnataka are monitoring the weather closely.
From Sowing Area to Expected Yield
Attention is shifting from sheer acreage to the likely harvest outcome. Patchy rainfall and prolonged dry spells across several regions threaten moisture availability during critical growth stages.
Suresh Agrawal, president of the Dal Mill Association, warned that insufficient rain in key states could dent pulse output this season.
The southwest monsoon is winding down with total rainfall roughly 12 % below normal, and its uneven distribution has created a mixed picture—some zones endured drought, while others faced heavy downpours.
Why a Duty Cut Matters
Against this backdrop, lowering import duties on chickpeas and yellow peas is viewed as a lever to boost supply and ease price pressure for consumers ahead of the festive celebrations.
