India extended the free import policy of black grams (urad) up to March 2026, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India announced on 10 March.

This policy is to meet the growing demand in India, traders stressed. India is the main buyer of Myanmar’s black grams and pigeon peas. Consequently, the black gram and pigeon pea prices are closely tied to India’s demand.

Myanmar conveyed over 1.5 million tonnes of various pulses to foreign countries between April and December of the current financial year (2024-2025), the Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize, and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association stated.

Myanmar mainly exports black grams, green grams, and pigeon peas to India. Of them, black grams and pigeon peas are primarily shipped to India, while green grams are exported to China and Europe.

India has growing demand and consumption requirements for black grams and pigeon peas. According to a Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and India signed on 18 June 2021, India will import 250,000 tonnes of black grams and 100,000 tonnes of pigeon peas (tur) from Myanmar for five consecutive years from the 2021-2022 financial year to 2025-2026 FY. This G-to-G pact will not affect the pulses’ annual quota set by India. Myanmar’s exporters are also entitled to deliver the pulses to India under that yearly quota.

The Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize, and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association stated that black grams, which India primarily purchases, are commonly found only in Myanmar, whereas pigeon peas, green grams, and chickpeas are grown in African countries and Australia.