Pulses, often dubbed the “poor man’s meat” for their rich protein content, hold a prominent place in India’s agriculture.
India stands as the leading global producer, importer, and consumer of pulses, making up around 25% of the world’s production, 15% of the international trade, and 27% of the global consumption of these nutritional crops.
In FY23, India exported 775,024.48 MT of pulses to the world for the worth of Rs. 5,397.86 Crores. The top export destinations include Bangladesh, China, U.A.E, U.S.A and Nepal.
Pulses Cultivation in India
Pulses are edible dry seeds of plants belonging to the Leguminosae family. With their significant protein and mineral content, pulses hold particular significance for individuals adhering to vegetarian diets.
In recent times, India’s pulse cultivation has witnessed substantial growth, with the country accounting for almost a quarter of the world’s pulse output.
According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the annual production of pulses has been less than 20 million tonnes during 2010-16. However, since 2016-17, India’s total production of pulses has been regularly crossing the 20 million tonnes mark. The increase in pulse production is closely linked to the exponential rise in Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the procurement of pulses.
The surge in pulse production within the nation is also evident in trade.From 2014 to 2020, there has been a substantial decrease in import bill of pulses.
Variety of Pulses Exported and Imported
| Exported Pulses from India |
Imported Pulses to India |
| 1. Lentils |
1. Yellow Peas |
| 2. Chickpeas (Gram) |
2. Green Gram |
| 3. Pigeon Peas (Toor Dal) |
3. Kidney Beans |
| 4. Black Gram |
4. Lentils |
| 5. Red Lentils |
5. Pigeon Peas |
Major Pulses Exporting Countries
While India plays a significant role in the global pulses export market, it’s worth acknowledging that several other nations are also noteworthy contributors. Among the top global pulses exporting countries, excluding India, are the following:
Canada
Canada, renowned for its high-quality lentils and chickpeas, is a major player in the global pulses market. In recent years, Canada has consistently exported a substantial quantity of pulses. Its primary export destinations include the United States, India, and Turkey.
Australia
Australia is a key exporter of various pulses, such as chickpeas and lentils. Australian pulses are well-regarded for their quality and find their way to markets in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, among others.
Myanmar
Myanmar has been gaining prominence as a pulses exporter, particularly in the lentil and chickpea categories. The country’s pulse exports are directed mainly to countries like India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
United States
The United States is a notable exporter of pulses, especially dry beans and peas. Its pulse exports are primarily destined for markets in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
These countries, apart from India, constitute a significant portion of the global pulses export market, contributing to the worldwide availability of pulses for consumers and businesses alike.
Self-reliance in Pulses: Pulses Imports by India
India heavily relied on imports till 2016-17. Since then, there has been a significant decline in import of pulses. The imports fell down from $4.2 billion in 2016-17 to $1.94 billion in 2022-23.
The reduction in pulses imports by India have come essentially on the back of higher domestic production.
The imports of two items have shown remarkable decline: Yellow/white peas (matar) and chickpea (chana).
At their peak, annual imports of yellow/white peas exceeded 3 million tonnes and chickpeas reached 1 million tonnes. The reason is simple: yellow/white peas from Canada, Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania were substituting for chickpeas when their prices surged due to lower Indian production.
However, after 2016-17, domestic chickpea output significantly increased, mainly due to government incentives encouraging farmers to expand their cultivation during the winter-spring season.
This boost was supported by a 60% import duty on chickpeas imposed in March 2018 and robust government procurement at minimum support prices (MSP). MSP for chickpeas rose from Rs 3,100 to Rs 5,335 per quintal between 2013-14 and 2022-23, leading to a near-halt in imports.
However, the success in production of Chana has not been replicated for other pulses like Arhar or Pigeon pea.
Pulses exports from India have witnessed significant exponential growth over the past three years. In FY22, they amounted to $359 million, and in FY23, they surged to $662 million, marking an impressive 84% increase.
Rising production is indeed boosting exports, but challenges such as inadequate storage facilities, limited shelf life of pulses, variability in seed size, strong domestic demand, and differences in pulse maturity levels are factors that impact Indian exports.
Pulses Exports from India
India is the 3rd largest exporter of pulses in the world. In FY23, it exported most of its pulses to Bangladesh, China, U.A.E, U.S.A and Nepal.
The dynamics of these exports are influenced by various factors, notably India’s domestic pulse production, which can fluctuate due to weather conditions and crop diseases.
Government policies, such as export bans or quotas, also play a key role as they aim to stabilize local prices and ensure an adequate supply for Indian consumers.
Pulses exports from India have witnessed significant exponential growth over the past three years. In FY22, they amounted to $359 million, and in FY23, they surged to $662 million, marking an impressive 84% increase.
Rising production is indeed boosting exports, but challenges such as inadequate storage facilities, limited shelf life of pulses, variability in seed size, strong domestic demand, and differences in pulse maturity levels are factors that impact Indian exports.
Find pulses exporters from India
Finding dependable pulse export companies in India who produce high-quality pulses for import-export purposes can be a significant challenge in the global pulse industry. Various factors, such as a lack of knowledge, multiple supplier challenges, language barriers, physical distance, and differences in business practices, make locating reliable pulse suppliers in India a complex endeavor.
EXPORA is a leading pulses exporter and importer. We import varieties of pulses from Africa and supply them worldwide. EXPORA exports pulses from India worldwide as well. We understand the importance of working closely with a network of trusted pulse suppliers and manufacturers from all over India and the world. As a leading pulses export company in India, we guarantee a consistent supply of different pulse varieties to cater to the diverse preferences of our customers worldwide. With our expertise and strong partnerships with reputable pulses manufacturers and suppliers in India, we ensure reliable and top-notch pulse exports from the country.
