However, the 4.45 percent decline in imports masks divergent trends within the major pulse categories. The decline was mainly caused by a sharp decline in yellow pea imports following the government’s decision to impose a 30 percent import duty during the year.
At the same time, the decline in yellow pea shipments was partially offset by a notable increase in imports of chana (Bengalgram) and urad (black matpe).
According to 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 to 12.90 lakh tonnes during January-December 2025 compared to the corresponding 29.39 lakh tonnes last year. The government had imposed a 30 percent duty on yellow peas in November 2025.
In 2025, Canada was the largest exporter of yellow peas to India with 8.82 lakh tonnes, followed by Russia with 3.21 lakh tonnes, Latvia with 33,532 tonnes and Argentina with 26,261 tonnes.
However, chana imports recorded a whopping 301 per cent jump at 15.81 lakh tonnes in 2025, compared to last year’s 3.94 lakh tonnes. Australia was the top exporter of chana to India with 14.23 lakh tonnes, followed by Tanzania with 1.48 lakh tonnes and Myanmar with 3,936 tonnes.
Similarly, imports of black matpe or urad saw a 41 percent increase during the year due to a shortage of domestic supplies. Myanmar was the largest exporter of urad to India with 8.09 lakh tonnes in 2025, followed by Brazil with 2.37 lakh tonnes.
Imports of masoor (lentils) registered a marginal growth of 10.61 lakh tonnes over last year’s 10.60 lakh tonnes. Canada was the top importer of masoor to India with 5.75 lakh tonnes, followed by Australia with 3.91 lakh tonnes, US with 37,746 tonnes, UAE with 16,699 tonnes and others with 40,148 tonnes.
Peat imports also registered a growth of 5.42 per cent at 13.25 lakh tonnes, compared to last year’s 12.57 lakh tonnes. Mozambique was the largest exporter of peat in 2025 with 5.20 lakh tonnes, followed by Myanmar with 3.46 lakh tonnes, Tanzania with 3.02 lakh tonnes, Malawi 66805 tonnes and Sudan with 38525 tonnes.
The other category of pulses also recorded a sharp decline of 48 percent to 2.42 million tons in 2025, compared to last year’s 4.64 million tons.
Published on February 24, 2026
#Pulses #imports #India #decline #percent #lakh #tonnes