Pea imports at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port surged to 235,500 tn in May from 7,368 tn in the corresponding month LY. Import of peas saw a surge because stringent fumigation norms will be applicable soon. According to quarantine norms for domestic mills, farm commodities, especially grains, have to be fumigated with methyl bromide at the port of loading to prevent insects and pests from reaching Indian shores. The current exemption from the compliance expires on Jun 30. Govt wants to re-established the mandatory use of methyl bromide at the port of origin, as the chemical has so far proved to be the best bet against eggs and pupae of insects, which other fumigants fail to tackle. Govt may extend the date but the worry still looms large. With the sharp surge in pea imports, total imports at Nhava Sheva have also increased.