India’s Tur (Pigeon Pea) Market: Imports Rise While Monsoon Risks Lurk

Imported pigeon pea (tur) supplies into India are rising and helping cap near‑term prices, but persistent monsoon concerns in key growing states keep medium‑term risks skewed to the upside. India’s tur market is currently balancing softer mill demand against a clear uptrend in import volumes, particularly from Mozambique and Myanmar. Traders are closely watching deficient rainfall in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat, which could translate into lower domestic output later in the season. With new‑crop arrivals not expected until late December, nearby price rallies look increasingly constrained by imported availability, while any confirmation of crop shortfalls would likely re‑ignite bullish momentum into Q1.

Prices

Recent domestic tur trading has been described as mixed, with limited buying interest from dal mills offset by steadily increasing imported availability. This combination has tempered the sharp price run‑up seen earlier in the season and led to a period of consolidation rather than outright correction.

At the same time, physical pea markets in Europe and the Black Sea show a mildly softer tone: in London, GB origin dried peas (FOB) are quoted at EUR 1.13 for marrowfat and EUR 0.91 for green as of 31 October 2026, both slightly below mid‑October levels. In Odesa, UA origin dried yellow peas (98% purity, FCA) are holding stable at EUR 0.16, while green peas (98% purity, FCA) trade at EUR 0.19. These moderate declines in feed and food pea benchmarks underline that the current tightness in India’s tur segment is being cushioned rather than amplified by global pea values.

Supply & Demand

India’s tur imports in the first five months of the current financial year are reported around 350,000 tonnes, up roughly 10% year on year. Mozambique, Myanmar and other African origins remain the dominant suppliers, underlining India’s structural dependence on overseas pigeon pea to bridge its domestic deficit.

Despite this higher import pace, end‑user demand is not particularly strong at present. Dal mills are described as cautious buyers, taking advantage of available imported stocks but avoiding aggressive forward coverage. This restrained offtake is limiting the immediate upside in spot prices even as trade data point to a tighter fundamental balance once the full impact of the weak monsoon on domestic production becomes clearer.

Fundamentals & Weather

Weather is the key swing factor for India’s tur balance sheet. Unfavourable and in some areas deficient monsoon rains in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat have raised the risk of a smaller kharif crop. These three states are central to India’s pigeon pea output, so any yield losses there could significantly tighten the domestic market later in the season.

New‑crop tur arrivals are expected only toward the end of December, leaving at least two months in which the market must rely on existing inventories and incoming imports. If field reports in November confirm lower pod setting or acreage losses, traders may begin to rebuild length, especially if import costs rise or logistics from Africa and Myanmar face disruption.

Market & Trading Outlook

In the near term, abundant imported availability and lacklustre mill demand are likely to cap further price gains in India’s tur market. However, the medium‑term picture is more balanced‑to‑firm: any confirmation of reduced domestic production would quickly tighten supplies once the early flow of the new crop is absorbed.

• Buyers (dal mills, food manufacturers): Consider using current stability to secure partial coverage through late Q1, but keep flexibility to add on dips if imports stay strong.
• Importers & traders: Maintain close watch on monsoon damage assessments in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat; a clear downgrade to crop expectations could justify holding slightly higher stocks into January–February.
• Producers: For pea growers linked to GB and UA benchmarks, the recent mild softening argues for disciplined selling on rallies rather than chasing the market lower.

3‑Day Directional View

• India tur (pigeon pea): Sideways to slightly soft as imported availability remains comfortable and dal mill demand is limited ahead of new‑crop signals.
• GB dried peas (London FOB): Mildly soft bias after recent small price declines, with no strong fundamental trigger for a quick rebound.
• UA dried peas (Odesa FCA): Largely stable; no major change expected as export demand and logistics appear balanced in the very short term.