India's kharif 2026/
Pigeon pea drought troubles, a record year for imports, and the ‘super’ El Niño threatening rabi prospects

We spoke to economist and Indian pulse expert, G. Chandrashekhar, to discuss his predictions for kharif pulses in 2026. We also covered monsoon damage across key pigeon pea regions, the outlook for record imports, and the El Niño risk hanging over rabi chickpeas and lentils.

Beans Panel at Qingdao Pulses Congress/
India’s growing crop narrows the import window

Rising domestic production in India, firm Brazilian prices and limited outlets for China’s new crop are reshaping the global beans trade.

India looks for resilience/
GPC and Consumer Affairs discuss supply, policy and trade

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.

India's pulse season isn't decided yet/
Why rain could matter more than tariffs

Binod Agarwal of SGR Group shares his outlook for India's kharif crop. He talks through production prospects, the impact of delayed rains, and the likelihood of key tariff changes over the months to come.

Super El Niño 2026/
Can crops ride out the heavy wave coming their way?

Global players assess the preparations and potential impact of a so-called ‘super El Niño’ in 2026. From India’s plans for protecting supply to unpredictability in the US bean states and how Australia may sidestep the drought with punctual winter seedings, the race to stay ahead of the weather is underway — and no major pulse-producing region will be untouched by the challenge.

Pigeon Peas & Urad Panel at Pulses 26/
Supply growth meets uncertain demand

Global pigeon pea and urad markets appear adequately supplied in the near term, but weather risks, government policies, trade flows and demand recovery in India will remain key factors shaping prices and market direction in the months ahead.

India’s kharif output at risk/
Assessing the impact of a week monsoon

With rainfall projected at just 92% of the average, the upcoming season faces its toughest challenge in years. This deficiency threatens urad and tur yields, likely increasing import reliance to stabilize domestic prices.

Monsoon turns against India’s pigeon pea/
Yet policy keeps doors open

Prolonged and intense rainfall across India’s pigeon pea–growing heartland has left widespread damage in its wake, forcing analysts to slash production forecasts for the 2025–26 season. National output could drop by nearly 20 percent from last year — tightening supplies, firming prices, and likely extending India’s reliance on duty-free imports well into 2026.

Desi chickpea markets/
The outlook on price, production and supply/demand dynamics

This analysis integrates recent data and trends from multiple sources to provide an overview of the chickpea market, production statistics, pricing trends, and future outlook.

India Kharif sowing update/
Karnataka to have bumper crop if good weather continues

In an update from Igrain India, Rahul Chauhan discusses planting numbers in the South Indian state of Karnataka and the prospect of a much improved Kharif crop.

Weather update on main pulse producing regions/
Pulse Atlas May 30, 2024

The southwest monsoon makes an early appearance, Russian lentils are threatened by drought, and Argentinian beans fall foul of early frosts – we take a look at the week in weather in the major pulse production zones.

IPGA Knowledge Series webinar coverage/
Rabi Pulses Sowing Scenario and Tur Outlook 2023-24

Pulse Industry Dynamics Unveiled: Challenges, Collaborations, and Future Initiatives. IPGA's Webinar Delivers Key Insights for Sustainable Growth, read the coverage for more insights.

AgPulse Analytica Market Update/
Another Production Cut in Indian Chickpea Crop?

With acreages and yields both predicted down 10% year-on-year, India is looking at a chana deficit. Gaurav Jain examines acreage data and production estimates to explore possible outcomes in 2024.

Pulse Atlas data in focus/
Myanmar’s black matpe production up 88% since 2021

The Kharif Sowing & Monsoon Situation/
IPGA Knowledge Series lays out the next month of India’s pulse production

Sporadic rainfall and dry spells have overpowered India’s monsoon season, leaving some pulse crops falling below expectations. At the latest IPGA webinar, experts weighed in; read our coverage.

Counting the cost of Pakistan’s floods/
Faisal Majeed on the impact on food security

The floods that have devastated Pakistan this year are a stark reminder of the fragility of our food systems, particularly in countries on the frontline of the climate crisis. Jesse Sam reports.

2021 Monsoon in India/
A positive outlook as September heralds the end of a drier than average August

Trade Talk/
An Interview with G. Chandrashekhar

The senior editor of the Hindu Business Line on the advance of the southwest monsoon, pulse stock limits and more.

GPC Coverage/
Indian Pulse Conclave Communiqué

2017 Vancouver convention/
Ron Storey, Chair of Pulse Australia, shares his impressions

Market Update/
India’s Policy Intervention Upsets Global Pulse Market

By G. Chandrashekhar

Shyam Narsaria/
Prospects for Myanmar Pulses

By Shyam Narsaria CEO, Arvee International Pte Ltd.

Market Update/
Huge Crop and Policy Uncertainty Weigh Pulse Market Down

By G. Chandrashekhar

Monsoon hopes, inflation battles, and why India will need a bigger desi buffer/
What to expect from Indian pulses in 2025

We sat down for a chat with Harsha Rai of Mayur Global to talk imports, chickpea prices, and get a big picture view of Indian pulses.

“It will make sense for Brazil to continue working with India”/
G. Chandrashekar on Indian production and imports

Agribusiness journalist and policy expert, G. Chandrashekar, sheds light on India’s rabi season prospects, the potential for Brazilian partnerships, and critical reforms to revive Indian pulse production

Looking ahead to India’s rabi crop/
“The next three months are crucial - pulses will see significant volatility”

Harsha Rai, owner of Mayur Global, on the pigeon pea harvest, how the General Election could impact the pulse market and how millers in India are overcoming higher prices and short supply.

“We expect India to open green mung imports soon”/
A production and export outlook for Myanmar’s pulses

Shyam Narsaria, CEO of Arvee International and head of OATA Myanmar, talks to Luke Wilkinson about the upcoming pulse seedings, black matpe stocks, and how pigeon pea prices are behaving.

“It’s all to play for in the coming weeks”/
Will Watchorn on Canada’s crop and feed markets across the globe

Global Head of Pulses at Viterra and newly appointed GPC Board member Will Watchorn on the future of processing, the threat of El Niño and what’s on the cards for feed demand in 2023

Could 2024/25 see a shift away from grains to pulses?/
Brian Clancey’s perspective on global markets

Brian Clancey shares insights into 2023’s global pulse production, the Russian and Chinese markets, and what tracking yellow pea numbers tells us about the plant-based boom.

Climate change, changing consumer demand and competition/
Farhan Adam on addressing the industry’s challenges

Sonia Sharma speaks to Farhan about his success breaking into new markets, the enduring trade relationship between India and Canada, and why Canada dominates in lentils.

Will Watchorn talks this year’s production/
“The US is on track for a rebound but things can still go wrong in Australia & India.”

Viterra is a multi-national agricultural commodity business that is active worldwide through acquisitions and growth. In terms of volume, it is one of the largest pulse handlers worldwide. As an origin-focused business, Viterra’s model is built around ports and railhead assets at the point of origin. Will Watchorn is Global Head of Pulses and has over two decades of trading experience. Jens Harder caught up with him last week to get his insight on the pulses market as it stands.

Trade Talk with G. Chandrashekhar/
Rabi Sowing Gets Underway

The late withdrawal of the southeast monsoon left favorable soil moisture conditions behind, but the planting of the crop has not been without its problem.

Trade Talk with G. Chandrashekhar/
Kharif Pulse Sowing Wraps Up

The senior editor of The Hindu Business Line discusses seeded area estimates and production projections, as well as the monsoon’s September revival.

Trade Talk with Gurav Bangeja/
India Reopening

The director of Saibaba Agrilink Pvt. Ltd. on the reactivation of India’s HoReCa sector, the imposition of stock limits, kharif sowing progress and more.

Trade Talk with Rajat Sarda/
The Maximum Retail Price Idea

The director of Rajat Agro Commodities on how this tool can help India control pulse prices.

Trade Talk with G. Chandrashekhar/
Kharif Season Seeding Gets Underway

A look ahead at the supply-demand outlook for the major pulses consumed in India.

Trade Talk with Chandrashekhar/
India's Southwest Monsoon

In our continuing series of interviews with the senior editor of the Hindu Business Line, we discuss the recent monsoon forecast and how it bodes for kharif season pulse crops

Balasubramanian Mani/
"India is a long way from attaining pulse self-sufficiency."

The international commodities broker says India is a long way from attaining pulse self-sufficiency.

Trade Talk/
G. Chandrashekhar on the Start of Rabi Sowing

G. Chandrashekhar, senior editor and policy commentator for the Hindu Business Line, on the impact of the late withdrawal of the monsoon on kharif pulse production, the start of rabi season seeding, food price inflation, demand for pulse imports, protests against the recent ag reforms and India’s future pulse consumption.

Trade Talk/
G. Chandrashekhar on the Status of Pulse Plantings this Kharif Season

Trade Talk/
An Update on India's Pulse Market with G. Chandrashekar