The government has recently extended the free import policy for tur/pigeon peas and urad till December 31, 2021
Bimal Kothari, Vice Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) said, “The disruption in monsoon for about three weeks between June and July compounded by the excessive rainfall is expected to hamper the production of tur, urad and moong this year which could result in severe shortage in domestic production. The Government of India, taking early cognisance of this, has taken a proactive step by extending the import window which will ensure adequate imports of these pulses to tide over the ongoing festive season till the time the new domestic crop arrives in the market. This will also help stabilise the prices during the festival season.
In a recent video conference with Commerce Secretary, BVR Subrahmanayam, IPGA had also requested an extension in the arrival deadline for pulses imports from Myanmar and East Africa by 60 and 90 days respectively. This was primarily because the disruption in global logistics has caused a severe shortage of containers as well as vessels.
“Tur is harvested in East Africa around August and shipments start in September. However, due to the non-availability of containers as well as vessels connecting to India from transit ports, these cargoes are taking far more than the normal sailing time. The trade was worried that the extended sailing time would result in cargoes reaching India post-November 30, 2021, which was the initial deadline. With the arrival deadline being extended till December 31 and arrival before January 31, 2022, this move will give importers ample time to procure and ship the pulses to India,” Kothari added.
