MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) – India pulses imports during the first fourth month (Apr-Jul) of the current financial year 2018-19 (Apr-Mar) dropped 76.16% year-on-year at 5.36 lakh tonnes as against 22.49 lakh tonnes a year ago.
Pulses imports dropped sharply in last 12-18 months mainly due to various restrictions in form on import duty and quantitative restrictions put by the government to curtain overseas shipment due to bumper pulses crop in 2016-17- and 2017-18.
India pulses imports during FY 2017-18 fell by 14.79% at 56.76 lakh tonnes from 66.62 lakh tonnes on previous year.
According to reports, India is likely to increase import duty on matar from 30% to 100% to curb prospects of import completely.
India pulses imports during the current FY 2018-19 is likely to drop significantly due to ample stocks in the country, followed by depreciation in Indian currency and unsupportive government policy.
According to fourth advance estimates released by government last month, the country is likely to have produced 252.3 lakh tonnes of pulses in 2017-18, up 9.08% from 231.3 lakh tonnes last year.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)