MMTC tender to import 50,000 tn yellow pea

State-run trading house MMTC has floated a tender to import 50,000 tonne pulses (yellow peas), according to the company's latest tender document.

The tender closes at 4 PM on March 23. Of the total 50,000 tonne yellow peas, the trading house has sought delivery of 25,000 tn in April-May, while the balance has been sought during October-November.

The ports of delivery specified are Mumbai and Kolkata.The tender document said bids will remain valid till March 29, and should be made for vessel load of minimum 10,000 tonne.

Prices can be quoted on both free-on-board, and cost and freight basis. It also said pulses for delivery must be from the current crop and fit for human consumption. It did not specify the country of origin.

"The offered stock shall be rejected if it does not meet quality specifications," the document said.

MMTC will also have the right to increase, decrease, or spilt the quantity tendered.Last year, the government had asked MMTC, Projects and Equipment Corp, and National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation to import pulses at zero duty to ease supplies in the domestic market and curb soaring prices.India last week also extended the ban on export of pulses till March 2008. The ban, imposed in July, was earlier valid till Mar 31 this year.

As per industry estimates, India usually imports about 750,000 tonne pulses annually from Myanmar, Canada, Tanzania and Australia.

India's pulses import, however, rose last year as the output has been stagnant at 13-15 million tonne for the past 10 years.