As the deadline for zero-tariff trading of chickpeas and lentils to India approaches, Australian growers are hold their breath.
The tariff-free status has lentils making $970 a tonne in Victoria, but a reinstatement of tariffs could see a 30 per cent price cut for growers.
The Weekly Times spoke to Grain Producers Australia chair and WA grower Barry Large and GPA Northern Region Director and NSW grower Matthew Madden for some insight.
Mr Madden said if the tariff-free status was not extended, growers may considered other options such as faba beans and canola in their rotation.
“We are hopeful that the Indian government will foresee that they need Australian imports,” he said.
Mr Large said Australian growers were positive about the market opportunities but they had to wait for an indication from India's government as to their needs.
“There has been a lot of lentils and chickpeas traded recently,” he said.
“We don’t know if the tariff will be implemented at this stage. It will depend on the government’s appetite in India and how big the crops are over there, but at the moment, the signals are that the market is strong,” he said.
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