Pulses imports to fall in 2013-14.

NEW DELHI: A higher domestic production in the country is expected to lower pulses imports in the country. This year imports are expected to touch 3.2 million tonnes from 3.6 million tonnes in 2012-13.

"A huge doemstic crop of yellow peas and chana has drastically slowed down imports from Australia and Canadae," said Pravin Dongre chairman India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).India has imported 1.42 million tonnes of pulses from April till SEptember 2012. It is expected to import further 1.4-1.6 million tonne till march 2014.

Dongre added that a huge crop and prevailing cold conditions in Canada had further led to a logistic jam in the country.

As per IPGA the total pulses production is expected to increase to 19 million tonnes from the previous year's record production of 18.45 million tonnes.

However, production of moong is expected to be lower than previous years even as yellow peas production is expected to touch one million tonnes this year said Dongre.

India is the world's largest producer (18.5 million tons), importer (over 3 million tons) and consumer (22.0 million tons) of a variety of pulses; yet, the per capita availability of this nutritious vegetable protein is relatively low at about 15 kilograms per annum.

The pulses and grains industry and trade association also announced Pulses Conclave, the second edition of for the global pulses industry to be organised on February 19-21 in Goa.Trade delegations from major pulses producing countries like Canada, Australia, Myanmar, Middle East, Russia, China and several African countries would be participating in the meet.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com