The shipments of Tur/Pigeon peas from Nacala Port in Mozambique, disrupted by an “anti-India” group, have resumed. This development follows intervention by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which raised the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian High Commissioner in Mozambique also engaged with local authorities to resolve the matter.
Current Shipment Status
According to sources, the Indian High Commissioner to Mozambique informed the Consumer Affairs Ministry that:
- 1,400 containers carrying approximately 35,000 tons of Tur/Pigeon peas have already departed from Nacala Port to India.
- An additional 400 containers, including some from Malawi, are expected to leave by mid-August.
India’s Dependency on Pulse Imports
Despite being the world’s largest producer of pulses, India remains dependent on imports to meet its domestic demand. Mozambique is a key supplier, especially for Tur/Pigeon peas.
Import Statistics
- 2023-24: India imported 7.71 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon peas, with 2.64 lakh tons from Mozambique.
- 2022-23: India imported 8.94 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon peas, with 4.6 lakh tons from Mozambique.
- Malawi, the fourth-largest supplier, shipped 52,773 tons in the last financial year, down from 60,463 tons the previous year.
Challenges in Mozambique
The drop in imports from Mozambique and Malawi was attributed to a series of hurdles, including obstructions by an anti-India group at Nacala Port.
Appeal for Government Intervention
Deepak Pareek, Founding Convener of the Global Grains and Pulses Council, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention. Pareek highlighted issues such as:
- Obstruction of agricultural commodity shipments by local authorities in Nampula Province.
- Illegal detention and ransom demands for shipping pigeon peas.
- Impact on the Indian trading community and food inflation in pulses.
MoU with Mozambique and Malawi
Mozambique has an MoU with India to supply 2 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon peas until 2025-26, ensuring market access. A similar MoU exists with Malawi for 0.50 lakh tons annually.
India’s Pulses Imports
India imports about a dozen types of pulses. During 2023-24, imports reached a record 47.38 lakh tons, nearly double the 24.96 lakh tons imported in 2022-23.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What caused the disruption in Tur/Pigeon peas shipments from Nacala Port in Mozambique?
- A) A natural disaster
- B) An anti-India group
- C) Political instability
- D) Labor strikes
- How many containers carrying Tur/Pigeon peas have already left Nacala Port for India?
- A) 1,000 containers
- B) 1,200 containers
- C) 1,400 containers
- D) 1,600 containers
- What was the quantity of Tur/Pigeon peas imported by India from Mozambique in 2022-23?
- A) 2.64 lakh tons
- B) 3.5 lakh tons
- C) 4.6 lakh tons
- D) 5 lakh tons
- Which province’s authorities in Mozambique are reportedly obstructing the shipment of agricultural commodities to India?
- A) Gaza Province
- B) Inhambane Province
- C) Nampula Province
- D) Sofala Province
- What was the total quantity of pulses imported by India during 2023-24?
- A) 24.96 lakh tons
- B) 35.78 lakh tons
- C) 42.60 lakh tons
- D) 47.38 lakh tons