India has decided not to allow more imports of moong and maize from Myanmar. This decision comes as India has enough of these crops grown within the country. A proposal from Myanmar to include moong and maize in their existing trade agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), has been turned down by India.
Sources within the Indian government shared that a delegation from Myanmar recently met with Indian officials. They discussed trade matters, especially concerning pulses, and the current MoU between the two countries for trading tur and urad. Myanmar had hoped to increase exports of moong and maize to India. This would have supported their own farming efforts. However, India feels that their domestic supply of these crops is sufficient.
The current MoU allows India to import a specific amount of urad and tur from Myanmar each year. For urad, the annual quota is 2.5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), and for tur, it is 1.0 LMT. This agreement has been in place since the financial year 2021-22 and is set to continue until FY 2025-26. Interestingly, India has been importing more tur and urad from Myanmar than the amounts set in the MoU. Since May 2021, India has allowed the free import of tur and urad, a policy that has now been extended until March 31, 2026.
Trade between India and Myanmar is quite significant. In the financial year 2024-25, the total trade volume was around $2.1 billion. India exported over $614 million worth of goods to Myanmar, while importing approximately $1,533 million from Myanmar. The increase in Myanmar’s exports to India is partly due to the relaxed import rules for urad and tur. The overall trade value has grown steadily over the past few years, from $1.29 billion in FY 2020-21 to $1.74 billion in FY 2023-24.
India is a major trading partner for Myanmar, ranking as its fourth largest. India mainly sends pharmaceuticals, animal products, cereals, food items, animal feed, cotton, machinery, vehicles, and electrical equipment to Myanmar. In return, Myanmar supplies pulses, wood products, and other agricultural goods to India.
By prioritising its own farmers and ensuring a stable domestic supply, India aims to manage its trade relationships effectively while meeting the needs of its large population. The decision on moong and maize reflects a careful approach to managing agricultural imports.
