Pulses 24/
6 insights from the panels and speakers in New Delhi

The 3-day event was populated by panel discussions featuring key industry players and a range of speakers from across the pulses sphere. With so many interesting people present, discussions were rife with insights; here are our top takeaways. 

Red Lentils: Australia’s record crop, India to harvest big in 2024?

Speaking as analyst on the panel, Gaurav Jain of Agpulse Analytica highlighted a significant surge in red lentil exports from Russia and Kazakhstan, indicating promising planting prospects in these regions. Additionally, Jain shed light on Australia's remarkable supply of red lentils, which has reportedly reached record levels and coincides with a surge in demand from India.

The presentation also delved into a discussion about India's red lentil crop for 2024, regarding which there is keen interest and anticipation about the possibility of a record crop although import volumes are expected to remain high nonetheless. Factors such as weather conditions, agricultural policies, and market dynamics are being closely monitored to gauge the potential outcome and its implications for global red lentil markets.

Kabuli chickpeas: Russia ships half a million tons in 2023, EU a major importer

Speaking on the kabuli panel, Jain revealed that Russia has made significant strides in the chickpea export market with a crop of half a million tonnes, of which substantial volumes went to three key destinations: Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt. According to AgPulse Analytica, Turkey has emerged as the primary destination for Russian chickpea imports, receiving 166 thousand MT.

Jain also indicated a resurgence in European kabuli imports after a decline in demand throughout 2021 and 2022. The upswing in 2023 was primarily fueled by a surge in demand from Spain and Italy. Among the top exporters in this dynamic market landscape were the United States, Argentina, Turkey, and Canada.

India dependent on Myanmar for pigeon pea and black matpe?

Analyst Sunil Patwari showed that, despite higher sowing intentions in India, pigeon peas were impacted by untimely rains and production for 2024 is projected at 3.3 MMT. A strong cultivation of pigeon peas in Myanmar and East Africa (projected at 0.3 MMT and 0.8 MMT respectively) will be needed to meet India’s 4.2 MMT demand. The government of India has indicated its intention to create a buffer stock to ensure supply at subsidized prices and balance inflation.

Black matpe is one of the most sensitive crops produced in India and comes twice a year. This year, dry spells and untimely rains have impacted production, which Patwari estimated at 1.9 MMT. The panel indicated that India will depend on Myanmar, which has reportedly cultivated 850 KMT, to meet its huge consumption requirement, estimated at 2.8 MMT for 2024.

Yellow peas: fruitful discussions before India extended imports on February 21

Gaurav Jain presented figures suggesting Russia was the world’s top pea-producing country with a total production of 2.9 MMT, largely due to the low export duty of dry peas compared to wheat and a strong footing in China thanks to transport via the Black Sea, railways, and Eastern ports.

He also commented on rejuvenated demand from China due to usage in feed, snacks and bird feed. Russia is servicing major buyers Turkey, Spain, Italy and Latvia, which in turn are supplying Germany and the Netherlands. During the panel, speakers discussed the factors that would influence the extension of India’s open imports and the potential impact of the anti-dumping on China by the US.

Desi chickpeas: pressure coming from many sides

Jain’s presentation on the current chickpea market situation highlighted critical issues like the Indian crop size, Australia’s planting woes, and the tight forex situation in South Asia. India remains the top buyer of chickpeas, having bought 119 KMT from Tanzania, which Jain showed has been steadily increasing its exports of chickpeas in the last three years.

The panel discussed how Pakistan will meet its burgeoning chickpea demand with a tight forex situation and the harvest of the domestic crop to be carried out during Ramadan. With low incentives and depleting carry-in for chickpea farmers in Australia, the panel also indicated it doesn’t have enough inventory to meet the high Indian demand if it were to open up in the future.

India to see an influx of green and brown lentils from the US after lifting tariffs?

Analyst Maisam Mundrawala indicated the growing US green and brown lentil exports to India since the removal of the tariffs with panelists discussing the possibility of growth in this trend. Mundrawala showed the United States produced 289 KMT of lentils and exported 205 KMT. Russia, meanwhile, had a record production of 193 KMT this year, exporting 140 KMT.