India’s arhar acreage falls 18%, raising a future pulses supply risk

Arhar sowing stood at 24.80 lakh hectares on July 17, down from 30.17 lakh hectares a year earlier. Karnataka’s 42% decline is unlikely to be fully offset by gains in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, potentially tightening pigeon pea availability for grocery retail after harvest.

— Filed Wed, 22 Jul, 2026, 20:46 IST · Source The Hindu BusinessLine · Updated

India’s arhar sowing was 18% lower as of July 17, led by a 42% decline in Karnataka. Higher planting in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh may not offset the shortfall, potentially tightening future pulse supply for food retailers.

Why this matters

No related recent signals are provided. The acreage shortfall points to a potential post-harvest availability risk for pigeon pea, a key grocery retail pulses category.

Retail-company signals are accelerating, up +1,011,800% QoQ.