MMTC tender to import 70000 tn yellow peas

State-run MMTC has floated a tender to import 70,000 tonnes of yellow peas, seeking Canadian, French, and German origin commodity from the current crop.

The tender closes on Thursday, while the bids will remain valid till May 17. The trading house has sought delivery of one lot in July, while the rest has been sought in September-November, the tender document specified. Delivery has been sought in the ports of Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Tuticorin.

According to the document, prices can be quoted either on free-on-board or cost-and-freight basis. MMTC has sought the commodity in 30,000-35,000 tonne lot sizes.

"The consignment must be treated by appropriate fumigants prior to sailing, strictly in accordance with the instructions as given in Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003," the document said, adding the offered stock shall be rejected if it did not meet any specifications.

Earlier this month, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved import of 1.5 million tonnes of pulses by government agencies over six to eight months.

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India, State Trading Corporation, MMTC and PEC h-ave been asked to detail marketwise and month-wise plans to import 0.75 million tonnes of urad, tur, moong, masur and gram, and 0.75 million tonnes of yellow peas and other pulses. Last year, the government had allowed import of pulses at zero duty and banned exports to ensure higher availability and keep a check on prices. According to the latest government estimates, pulses output in the current crop year to June is seen at 14.1 million tonnes, marginally higher than last year's 13.4 million, but lower than government's target of 15.1 million tonnes.

Prices of pulses have almost doubled since last year on lower output in both domestic and global markets.