India's pulses import almost doubled in 2023-24, it may rise further this year

India's reliance on pulses imports has increased, nearly doubling in the 2023-24 fiscal year to USD 3.74 billion. The surge in imports, estimated to be over 45 lakh tonnes, is aimed at meeting domestic demand and controlling prices. To address this, the government is exploring new markets like Brazil and Argentina for long-term contracts. Despite various incentives, including duty-free imports and higher MSP, domestic pulses production has declined in recent years due to factors like erratic climate conditions. This has led to concerns about inflation, with pulses inflation at 17% in March.