Pulses import News

The country is expecting "bumper" crop of pulses this year but the supply will fall short of the demand, the government said on Friday, adding India will take two to three years to become self-sufficient in production.

To help tame spiralling pulse prices that have hit Rs 200 per kg, traders have signed contracts to import about 3 million tonnes of lentils so far this year worth about USD 2 billion as domestic demand spikes.

MMTC has invited global bids for import of 5,000 tonnes of pigeon peas of the latest crop from Myanmar, Malawi, Mozambique or any other origin.

 Concerned over rising pulses prices, the government is considering to closely monitor imports of lentils by private traders.

Pulse prices have been ruling as high as Rs 180 per kg in the retail market across the country as their production slumped 2 million tonnes in the 2014-15 crop year on poor and untimely rains.  

Imports of around 25 lakh tonnes of pulses by private traders will boost the domestic availability and help bringing down the prices, industry body India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) has said.

As pulses prices touched Rs 200 per kg, the Centre Monday decided to import additional 3,000 tonnes of lentils to control rising rates and asked the state governments to take strict action against hoarders.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared reimbursement of Rs 113 crore of losses on pulses imported between 2006-11 by four government agencies.

The government has finalised modalities for import of key pulses and state-run agencies such as MMTC will soon float tenders for overseas purchase of lentils, Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain said Tuesday.

To check rising price of pulses, the government on Wednesday said it will import lentils in large quantities to boost supply and also asked states to take action against hoarders.

The government on Wednesday said it plans to import pulses in huge quantity to deal with rising prices.