India pulse imports jump 62% as El Niño concerns raise food-supply risks
India imported 1.7 million tonnes of pulses in April-July FY27, up 62% year on year, as crop concerns lifted reliance on overseas supply. Costlier Canadian lentils and yellow peas, plus Russian logistics disruptions, could temper near-term inflows while buffer-stock releases may curb retail prices.
What happened
India pulses market · India’s pulse imports climbed 62% in April-July FY27 amid El Niño-related domestic crop concerns. Higher Canadian lentil and yellow pea
Key facts
- Pulse imports rose 62% to 1.7 million tonnes in April-July FY27
- Import value rose 32% to $0.97 billion
- Masur imports rose 227% to 0.57 million tonnes
- Yellow pea imports rose 91% to 0.52 million tonnes
- Tur imports rose 7% to 0.31 million tonnes
Why this matters
India’s 62% jump in pulse imports underscores the need to diversify sourcing, secure forward contracts and manage buffer stocks as El Niño risk, higher Canadian prices and Russian logistics disruptions threaten supply continuity.
What to watch
- India monsoon distribution, El Niño intensity and official kharif/rabi pulse crop estimates.
- Weekly wholesale and retail prices for tur, chana, masoor, moong, lentils and yellow peas.
- Government buffer-stock release volumes, import-duty changes, stock limits and anti-hoarding actions.
- Canadian lentil/yellow-pea crop outlooks and export prices.
- Russian and Black Sea logistics, vessel availability, freight rates and shipment delays.