India's pulse imports surge to a record high
India imported more than 4.5 million tonnes of pulses worth around Rs.17,000 crore during FY2014-15, registering an increase of almost 55% from the total value of inbound shipment of previous year. According to the government data, the country’s total pulse imports stood at 31.77 lakh tonnes worth around Rs.11,000 crore during 2013-14. Decrease in pulse production from 19.25 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 17.38 million tonnes during last year within the country and a slight increase in consumption led to a sharp rise in the imports. “Shortfall in production of pulses is met through import,” Minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundaria told the Parliament in response to a query. However, continuous rise in demand of various categories of pulses has increased the prices of the commodity in the domestic market. To contain the rising prices due to short supply, the government has also encouraged import of pulses by removing duties. In March this year, customs duty exemption on pulses was extended for six months till 30th September, 2015. The decision was taken in view of the rising inflation within the country, Jayant Sinha, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance told the Parliament on Friday. Despite being the world’s largest pulse producer, India is the biggest importer of the commodity following high domestic consumption. Exports from Canada, the US, Australia and Myanmar cater to the Indian pulse market.
August 08, 2015 | 4:05pm IST.
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