India’s recent announcement that it aims to become fully self-sufficient in pulse production by 2028 is raising red flags for pulse exporters around the globe—including growers in Montana.
India consumes approximately 30 million tonnes of pulses annually and currently produces about 25 million tonnes. The shortfall has traditionally been met through imports from countries like Canada, Australia, Brazil, and the United States. However, according to a report by UkrAgroConsult, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that India plans to eliminate that gap within the next three years.
At the Global Pulse Confederation Pulses 25 conference in Singapore, Deepak Agarwal of India’s National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) told international exporters they have “five years to adjust.” India is rapidly increasing its domestic procurement and paying market prices for all major pulse crops—including peas, lentils, and black beans—in an effort to support farmers and reduce reliance on imports.
This shift could have direct implications for Montana chickpea producers and others who rely on India as a major export destination. The move mirrors Canada’s growing concern about lost access to the Indian market, prompting discussions about finding alternative buyers—though China, once considered a promising alternative, is proving unpredictable due to trade disputes and price volatility.
Meanwhile, here at home, the U.S. pulse industry has announced a bold goal of its own. In July 2025, USA Pulses unveiled a plan to double domestic production and consumption of pulses by 2030. This effort is aimed at promoting public health, supporting rural economies, and boosting the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. But India’s rapid path to pulse independence could make that goal harder to reach—especially if major export markets shrink.
The urgency to expand domestic demand is clear when comparing global pulse consumption patterns. According to the National Institute of Nutrition in India, the average Indian consumes around 70 grams of pulses per day—more than 25 kilograms per year. In contrast, Americans consume only about 3.1 kilograms per year, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. That’s an 8-fold difference in dietary habits.
If India phases out imports, Montana and other U.S. growers will need to pivot—quickly. That means creating stronger domestic markets for pulses, launching educational campaigns around their health benefits, and making pulses a staple in American diets, not just in global trade.
The Bottom Line
India’s plans for self-sufficiency threaten to shift the global pulse trade—and could complicate U.S. efforts to expand production by 2030. For Montana growers, the solution lies not in chasing uncertain exports, but in building a robust market here at home. Bridging the consumption gap between India and the U.S. will be key to securing the future of America’s pulse industry.
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