Premium geographical indication (GI) tagged tur dal from Kalaburgi (Gulbarga) in Karnataka has found its way into the Maldives market, even as the overseas demand for Indian pulses continues to rise. Overall pulses exports which crossed a million tonnes and were in the striking distance of a billion dollar mark during financial year 2025-26, have sustained the trend in the current year on strong overseas demand.

In the April-July period of the current financial year were up 45 per cent in value terms at $452.27 million from corresponding last year’s $311.08 million. In volume terms, the pulses exports during April-July stood at over 4.94 lakh tonnes, an increase of 59 per cent over corresponding last year’s 3.10 lakh tonnes.

India has been the largest producer and consumer of pulses. Though the country has been a net importer of pulses, the overseas demand for the Indian pulses including the processed ones has been on the rise in the recent years. In fact over the past decade, the pulses exports have witnessed a five fold growth both in value and volumes (see table).

Indian pulses such as moong bean, kabuli chana, tur dal and lentils among others continue to witness a strong demand from countries such as China, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and the US among others with premium products such as the geographical indication (GI) tagged also witnessing a demand of late.

“Gulbarga Tur Dal heads to the Maldives. 1 MT of the GI-tagged premium pulse from Karnataka, known for its exceptional taste, has been exported to the Maldives,” Union Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal posted on X. “The farmers who have made this possible with their hard work get over 30% higher prices for their produce in international markets,” Goyal said.

The development highlights the export potential for the premium Indian pulses in general and GI tagged products in particular, to help farmers access overseas markets and improve realisations.

The trade, which is bullish on the prospects for pulses exports, wants a favourable export policy from the government. “We are doing great in export of pulses. India can become a good exporter of pulses in the years to come and we need a favourable policy from the government in terms of incentivising the exports,” said Bimal Kothari, Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).

While we are importing around six million tonnes of pulses, we are exporting around a million tonnes, some of which is processed, offsetting the foreign exchange outgo to an extent, Kothari said adding that a range of supplies are available in the overseas market to meet the domestic requirement.

“China is buying a large quantity of moong beans from us. We are self-sufficient in moong beans and government should continue to allow that,” Kothari said.

China was the largest buyer of Indian pulses during 2025-26, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Published on September 25, 2026