India Weighs Cutting Pulse Import Duties as Monsoon Shortfall Threatens Output

India is considering lowering import tariffs on select pulses to boost supplies and curb food inflation after a patchy monsoon raised concerns over domestic output, two government sources and an industry source said on October 1, 2026. The reduction could be limited to lentils and yellow peas, with chickpeas excluded, the industry source said. New Delhi currently imposes a 10% import tax on red lentils and chickpeas and 30% on yellow peas. Duty-free imports of pigeon peas and black gram are already permitted through March 2027. India is the world's largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses. Imports accounted for about 23% of consumption in 2024-25, when the country produced 25.7 million tons and imported 7.3 million tons, sourced mainly from Australia, Canada, Russia, Myanmar and African nations. Output is expected to fall sharply this year after top producing states received up to 30% less rain than average during the June-September monsoon. Food inflation stood at 5.95% in August, with pigeon pea inflation at 5.6% and black gram at 7.4%.