Masoor (lentil)

What it is

A rabi pulse; sold whole (brown) and as split red lentil (malka masoor).

Bold and small-seeded masoorRed split lentil (malka)

Where India produces it

1. Madhya Pradesh

   2023-24: 0.82 million tonnes (45.98% of India)

2. Uttar Pradesh

   2023-24: 0.58 million tonnes (32.19% of India)

3. West Bengal

   2023-24: 0.14 million tonnes (8.04% of India)

4. Bihar

   2023-24: 0.11 million tonnes (6.35% of India)

5. Jharkhand

   2023-24: 0.05 million tonnes (2.94% of India)

Where imports come from

India imported 4,738.90 thousand tonnes of pulses in 2023-24 (₹31,071.63 crore) against domestic output of 242.46 lakh tonnes. Lentil imports were US$ 916.03 million in 2024-25 (HS 071340).

• Canada — US$ 466.08 million imported under HS 071340 in 2024-25
• Australia — US$ 328.32 million imported under HS 071340 in 2024-25
• USA — US$ 78.43 million imported under HS 071340 in 2024-25

Rules before you buy or sell

• Farm-gate trade usually goes through a state APMC mandi or e-NAM; the state's market fee and trader licence rules apply.
• Under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 the Centre can set stock limits for traders and processors; check current orders.
• Import and export are governed by the ITC(HS) policy; check the current DGFT notification before you sign a contract, because policy for farm goods changes often.
• Imports of seeds, grain and plant products need a phytosanitary certificate and clearance under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.
• FSSAI licence or registration is needed to process, pack, store or sell it as food (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).

Businesses that use it

Dal Mill →High-Protein Himalayan Lentil Mixes →