India's pulse imports surged to an all-time high of $5 billion in the fiscal year 2024�25, a sharp increase from $3.74 billion in 2023�24. In terms of volume as well, pulse imports reached record levels. This spike is largely due to the Indian government's policy of allowing duty-free imports of pulses like tur (pigeon pea), urad a(black gram), and masoor (lentil). In December 2023, the government also lifted import duties on yellow peas, followed by desi chana (chickpeas) in May 2024. As a result, imports of yellow peas and chana soared significantly. However, the government has now reimposed a 10% basic customs duty on desi chana and masoor. The duty-free window for yellow peas is set to expire on May 31, 2025. Traders and industry stakeholders are urging the government to impose a substantial duty on yellow pea imports, with a decision expected in the coming days. Prior to December 2023, yellow peas faced a hefty 50% import duty along with strict regulatory conditions. Since the duty was removed, large volumes of pulses have been imported from countries like Canada (masoor, yellow peas), Myanmar (urad, tur), Brazil (urad), Australia (chana, masoor), Russia (yellow peas, masoor), and African nations (tur, chana). Meanwhile, expectations of a good southwest monsoon could boost the sowing of kharif pulses such as tur, urad, and moong. The government is also expected to announce revised Minimum Support Prices (MSP) soon. If monsoon rainfall is timely and well-distributed, and there�s an increase in sowing area along with higher MSPs, domestic pulse production could rise significantly. Government stockpiles of chana and urad are currently low, making the upcoming decision on yellow pea imports particularly crucial. Although both domestic and global prices of pulses have fallen from their peaks, there are concerns that restricting or ending yellow pea imports could cause a sharp rise in prices again�especially for chana.