India imported 6.25 lakh tonnes of tur between January and August 2026, a 44% increase over last year, as drought risks in Maharashtra and Karnataka raised supply fears. Despite this, domestic prices have recently dipped due to weak post-festive demand and a stronger rupee. Investors should track how weather conditions affect upcoming crop yields and domestic price stability.
India has significantly increased its reliance on imported tur, or pigeon pea, during the first eight months of 2026. Data from the India Pulses and Grains Association indicates that imports reached 6.25 lakh tonnes, up from 4.34 lakh tonnes during the same period in 2025. This 44% rise highlights the challenge of balancing domestic consumption with inconsistent local production, which continues to face pressure from erratic rainfall patterns in key growing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Dependency on Global Supply
The supply chain for Indian pulses remains heavily linked to international markets. Mozambique continues to be the largest contributor, accounting for over 2.29 lakh tonnes of the total imports, with Myanmar and Tanzania also serving as critical partners. This procurement strategy is a direct response to domestic production uncertainty, where drought conditions in major agricultural regions have created concerns about the availability of local stock. For investors and industry observers, this increased dependency on imports suggests that global price volatility and trade logistics will play a larger role in shaping domestic pulse prices moving forward.
Domestic Price Sensitivity and Market Trends
Interestingly, the influx of imports has coincided with a recent softening in domestic prices. As of late October 2026, prices for both local and imported tur have retreated for two consecutive weeks. This trend is primarily driven by a drop in demand following the end of the peak festive season, where buying activity naturally slows. Additionally, a stronger rupee has made importing pulse varieties slightly cheaper, further dampening the bidding environment in major hubs like Gulbarga and Akola. Prices in these markets have seen a reduction of ₹200 to ₹300 per quintal, while African varieties at Mumbai ports experienced a more modest correction.
Crop Outlook and Future Risks
While the total kharif acreage for pulses has seen a slight increase of 1.3% to reach 47.25 lakh hectares, the overall outlook remains uncertain. Farmers in critical zones like Kalaburgi are signaling an urgent need for rainfall to protect standing crops. This creates a complex scenario for the market: while immediate demand is weak, forcing prices lower, traders and stockists are wary of selling aggressively. Many are holding back stock, anticipating that potential supply shortfalls later in the season could lead to higher price floors. For stakeholders, the key monitorable will be the weather impact on the final harvest and how that interacts with the government’s import policy and potential MSP (Minimum Support Price) adjustments in the coming months.