India is considering allowing duty-free imports of yellow peas for another month, until May, to drive down prices while bridging the demand-supply gap tur (pigeon pea) and chana (gram), two officials said. The move likely is due to a drop in tur crop production and expectations of low yields for chana because of a decline in acreage and productivity. “We are already facing tur production fall. Chana is also raising concerns in terms of output. Though fresh chana has started coming into the market, the quantum is low. The supply is expected to increase this month. Until the arrival hits the peak and the picture is clear, we are considering extending duty-free imports of yellow peas. However, for the time being, it may be extended only by a month,” one of the officials cited above said.
