India signs deals with Brazil, Argentina for pulses import as Indians can afford now more intake of pulses with better purchasing power

India, the world’s largest consumer and producer is expected to import over 20,000 tonne of black gram (Urad) from Brazil for the first time and unspecified amounts of pigeon pea (Tur) from Argentina to meet its domestic requirements.

Retail inflation in pulses remains high, although it slowed to 17.71% in March compared to a rise of 18.9% in February, according to official data…India’s output of pulses dipped to 23.4 million tonne in 2023-24 from 26.1 million tonne a year ago, the agriculture ministry estimates.

“Affordability and availability are two big factors. The government has held several rounds of discussions with the South American nations, which have conducive weather to grow these varieties while their own requirements are not much,” one of the officials said, seeking anonymity.

Pulses are the commonest source of protein for most Indians. A campaign by the central government to ramp up local production saw total output jump 37% since 2015-16, according to official figures, helping to cut costly imports. Yet, the country has to rely on foreign shipments to meet total demand.

India’s requirement of black gram is solely met through imports from Myanmar under a memorandum of understanding between the two nations. Import of gram from the conflict-ridden neighbouring country stumbled last year, affecting local prices. .

In 2023, India imported nearly 3 million tonne of pulses, mostly lentils, black gram and pigeon pea, from Canada, Australia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan, Malawi and Myanmar.

Rising protein prices can be a significant driver of household expenses. The federal government has imposed a slew of measures to tame prices ahead of a general election to keep basic food commodities affordable. For instance, the government has waived off import duties for three varieties of pulses – pigeon pea, black gram and lentil (masoor) till March 2025 to boost local supplies.

Between 2004-05 and 2013-14, pulses saw a price spike of 143%, stoked by global prices and rising protein demand due to better purchasing power, according to a Reserve Bank paper by the late former deputy governor Subir Gokarn. He calculated that many Indians had crossed an income threshold beyond which protein intake such as pulses, eggs and meat increases.

 That is, now Indians can afford to include more pulses in their food.