India likely to import over 1 MT of chana from Australia

India is expected to import approximately 1.1 million tonnes (MT) of desi chana (Bengal gram) from Australia to supplement domestic supplies, which have been hampered by lower production.

This is in addition to the import of 1.6 MT of yellow peas, which are utilized as a substitute for chana after import duties were removed in December of last year.

"The government's well-timed decision to remove chana import duty last month sent a positive signal to growers in Australia, resulting in an increase in seeding this year," Harsha Rai, CEO of Mayur Global Corporation, a large pulses trading firm, told FE. The crop from Australia is expected to arrive in the country in September.

Because prices are above the MSP, trade sources report that farmers' cooperative Nafed has purchased only about 40,000 metric tons of chana during the current marketing season (April-June), compared to the price support scheme's aim of one million tonnes.

Source: Financial Express