Government Extends Duty-Free Imports of Tur Until March 31, 2026

In a bid to ensure affordability and stabilize the supply of pulses, the Government of India has extended the free import policy for tur by another year, pushing the deadline to March 31, 2026. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification regarding this extension on Monday. Previously, the duty-free import window was set to end on March 31, 2025.

The harvest of tur is currently underway in major producing states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra. With the arrival of the new crop, mandi prices have eased and are now below the Minimum Support Price of ₹7550 per quintal set by the government for the kharif 2024 marketing season. According to the first advance estimates, tur production for the current year is projected at 35.02 lakh tonnes, reflecting a 2.5% increase compared to last year’s output of 34.17 lakh tonnes.

The government’s decision to extend the duty-free import policy is aimed at boosting domestic availability and addressing any potential supply shortfalls. Previously, shortages in pulses like tur, urad, and chana had led to a sharp surge in prices. In response, the government had extended duty-free imports for tur, urad, and masur till March 31, 2025, and now, the revision for tur imports will further augment supplies. Additionally, the duty-free import of yellow peas is permitted until February 20, 2025, while chana imports remain duty-free until March 31, 2025.

The government has been closely monitoring prices and availability of essential food commodities to ensure consumer affordability. Retail sales of chana dal, moong dal, and masur dal under the Bharat brand have continued, along with regular engagements with the Retailers Association of India and organized retail chains. These interventions have yielded results, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for pulses dropping significantly from 19.5% in January 2024 to 3.8% in December 2024.

The Food Ministry has expressed optimism regarding the production of chana and masur, citing favorable sowing conditions, adequate soil moisture, and conducive weather. This series of measures by the government, including extended import windows and direct price interventions, will ensure stability in pulses supply and retail prices, benefitting consumers nationwide.

Source:DGFT