India’s record pulses buffer aims to cap retail price spikes
The government has built a 4.5 million-tonne pulses buffer—above its 3.5 million-tonne norm—and extended duty-free tur and urad imports through March 2027. Stock releases and imports could help grocery retailers manage availability and limit price volatility ahead of the next harvests.
What happened
Government of India · India has built a record 4.5 MT pulses buffer to curb potential price spikes amid El Nino and weak kharif rainfall risks. Government may
Key facts
- 4.5 million tonnes pulse buffer stock
- 3.5 million tonnes buffer norm
- Tur retail price: Rs 123.43/kg
- Urad retail price: Rs 122.63/kg
- Duty-free tur and urad imports extended until March 31, 2027
What changed
India has built a record 4.5 MT pulses buffer to curb potential price spikes amid El Nino and weak kharif rainfall risks. Government may release stocks while maintaining duty-free tur and urad imports through March 2027, affecting grocery sourcing and retail prices.
Why this matters
Grocery operators should expect better pulse availability and less severe pricing swings as buffer-stock releases and duty-free imports bolster supply through March 2027.
What to watch
- Frequency, volume, and regional allocation of government buffer stock releases
- Tur and urad mandi prices versus retail shelf-price inflation
- Import tender volumes, vessel arrivals, port clearance times, and supplier landed-cost quotes
- Rabi sowing, weather conditions, and harvest outlook for key pulse-producing regions
- Rupee movement and global tur/urad export availability, particularly from Myanmar and East Africa