MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper is delighted at the news that India has removed its tariff on Australian lentil exports.
“This will come as a huge relief to pulse farmers along the Mallee Track and the Southern Mallee, as Australian lentils become more competitive in the lucrative Indian grains market,” she said.
The Indian Government is keeping tariffs on Australian lentils at zero until September 30.
Ms Cupper said this decision will hopefully provide more options to sell grains at a high price point.
“The ABARES forecast for lentil production for the 21-22 Victorian harvest was 275 kt, 42 kt higher than the five-year average,” she said.
“An announcement like this will hopefully sure up the price of lentils for export and see more farmers engaging in a market where there are significant ongoing trade opportunities.”
While Australia has had a better than average lentil season with high quality yields, India will soon harvest what is said to be a record winter yield of lentils, shrinking the import target.
“Farmers fortunate enough to have already secured shipping arrangements with India will get more bang for their buck as a result of this tariff cut announcement,” Ms Cupper said.
“While less foreign lentils are expected to head to India this year, the removal of the tariff cost barrier means a higher proportion of them can be Australian, and hopefully, Victorian.”

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