July 30, 2026
Is El Niño really a threat? Can India keep imports flowing? Could regulation adapt when key supplies tighten? How can consumption grow? How can GPC engage more effectively with the world's largest pulse market? Resilience emerged as the common thread in a conversation that underscored the value of closer alignment between industry leaders and policymakers in shaping the path ahead.
GPC President Vijay Iyengar met with Ms. Nidhi Khare, IAS, Secretary of India's Department of Consumer Affairs, to discuss key issues affecting the global and Indian pulses sector. The meeting was facilitated by Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, former Additional Managing Director of NAFED. Shri Sachin Khurana, India Representative for USA Pulses, also attended.
Discussions focused on global pulse production, availability and prices, as well as the potential impact of El Niño on international and Indian markets.
Ms. Khare outlined how the Department of Consumer Affairs is monitoring the monsoon and assessing its likely effect on India's pulse production, noting that the rainfall deficit recorded in June had largely been offset during the first half of July. The Department remains in regular contact with the India Meteorological Department and expects the overall impact of El Niño to be limited.
Ms. Khare added that any production shortfall could be addressed through releases from India's national buffer stocks, which remain at comfortable levels. Consumer Affairs also operates more than 500 price-monitoring centres across the country to track retail and wholesale prices of essential commodities, including pulses.
Ms. Khare highlighted efforts to expand pulse production in emerging suppliers such as Brazil and Australia, noting that Brazil is rapidly establishing itself as an additional supplier of black matpe to India.
Ms. Khare said that greater consistency in import policy has helped ensure a smooth flow of imported pulses into India. Asked about the possibility of changes to pulse tariffs, she said the situation continues to be monitored closely and any necessary action would be guided by evolving market conditions.
Mr. Vijay and Mr. Khurana welcomed the timely notification of India's annual pulse import policies, which gives stakeholders across the supply chain greater certainty when planning purchases and trade.
Turning to international market conditions, Mr. Vijay said global supplies of pigeon peas, black matpe, red lentils and desi chickpeas were generally adequate. He noted, however, that the desi chickpea market could come under pressure due to lower stocks in Australia and the prospect of reduced production this season. Ample supplies of yellow peas could help offset any tightening in chickpea availability.
Mr. Singh raised the need for separate HSN classifications for green and red lentils. Since greens and yellows can substitute for pigeon peas in several Indian food applications, clearer tariff classifications could help ease pressure if domestic pigeon pea supplies tighten.
He also referred to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation's acceptance of yellow and green lentils as alternatives to pigeon peas for distribution through the state's Public Distribution System. Similar flexibility, he suggested, could be adopted by other states to diversify supply and broaden procurement options.
Sachin Khurana briefed Ms. Khare on initiatives being undertaken by USA Pulses in India to promote pulse consumption and support the development of innovative pulse-based products, particularly those using U.S. pulses.
He noted that industry roundtables had recently been held in Indore, Chennai, and Madurai, bringing together stakeholders to discuss new applications, product development and market opportunities. Additional roundtables are planned in other Indian cities over the coming months.
The meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen GPC's presence in India, the world's pivotal market in the global pulse economy.
Participants agreed that a local GPC representative arrangement could support closer engagement with the Government of India, state governments and industry stakeholders. Such a presence would allow GPC to contribute more consistently to sector growth, consumption promotion and informed policy dialogue.
Mr. Vijay thanked Ms. Khare for her time and for the Department of Consumer Affairs' constructive engagement with the pulses sector. He also invited her to attend the next GPC conference, Pulses 27, scheduled to take place next year in Istanbul, Türkiye.
India / Department of Consumer Affairs / pulse imports / pulse policy / El Niño / global pulse supply.
Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this publication are those of the authors or quoted persons. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Global Pulse Confederation or its members.
