Import Limits: Barrier or Management for Pulses Market?

Iran’s pulses market faces significant challenges including heavy reliance on imports, currency fluctuations, and stringent order registration limits. These controls, aimed at managing supply, have created hurdles for importers, disrupting medium- and long-term planning and causing market instability.

Lentils and chickpeas dominate imports, but recent price drops have made importing less economically viable. Domestic production suffers from climatic risks and poor planning, leading to price volatility. Despite tensions, ample stockpiles ensured supply during recent crises. Experts believe that sustained import management, currency allocation, and effective oversight of local production are key to market stability.