The government has extended the duty-free import of Urad for another year until March 31, next year. In a notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said that the free import policy of Urad stands extended up to March 31, 2026. The provision was earlier in place until the end of March this year. The move will help stabilise prices of the commodity in the domestic markets. Myanmar is the main exporting country of Urad to India.

The imports stood at 601.12 million US Dollars during April-November this fiscal. Out of this, 549 million dollars worth of grain was imported from Myanmar. Besides Myanmar, India imports Urad from Singapore, Thailand, and Brazil.

The major Urad producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of urad.