Responsibility-free imports of yellow peas could also be allowed past April

“Yellow pea imports are anticipated to assist offset the anticipated shortfall within the provide of chana because the home crop is projected to be decrease than that final yr on drop in acreage and climate impacting the yields,” stated the official, who didn’t want to be recognized.

In early December 2023, the Centre allowed duty-free imports of yellow peas till March 2024 and later prolonged it until April as a part of efforts to chill the costs of pulses which had stored meals inflation excessive for the previous few months.

The Wholesale Value Index inflation in pulses was 18.48% in February, up from 16.06% in January. With the overall election scheduled for April-Might, the federal government has made a number of makes an attempt to curb worth rise in meals objects akin to export restrictions, inventory limits, offloading its personal shares and elimination of import duties.

“The realm underneath chana is much less this yr and the yield in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka is predicted to be 10-12% decrease this yr,” stated Suresh Agrawal, president, All India Dal Mills Affiliation.

The sown space underneath chana declined greater than 5% year-on-year in the course of the rabi season 2023-24, based on agriculture ministry knowledge. Erratic rainfall and issues over moisture are additionally anticipated to scale back the general yield.India is predicted to import about 1,000,000 tonnes of yellow peas by March 31 on this monetary yr, which may very well be the best in latest occasions, based on authorities estimates.India largely imports yellow peas from Canada and Russia.

A big client and grower of pulses, India meets a portion of its consumption wants via imports. The nation primarily consumes chana, masur, urad, Kabuli chana and tur.

Meals inflation has been ruling excessive for a number of months, with pulses being a significant component. Erratic monsoon rains in 2023 on account of EL Nino put strain on farm output. The statistics ministry estimates farm output progress of 1.8% for this fiscal, down from 4% in 2022-23.