Market
Kidney bean (rajmash/rajma; Phaseolus vulgaris) is a widely consumed pulse in India, supplied by a mix of domestic production and imports. ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) describes Indian rajmash production as mainly a Kharif crop in traditional systems in the foothills of Himalayan regions, often integrated with rotations/intercropping. UN Comtrade data surfaced via WITS indicates India both imports (e.g., from Ethiopia, Brazil, China, Myanmar, Kenya) and exports (e.g., to China and other markets) dried kidney beans under HS 071333, making India an active two-way trade participant. Market availability and prices can be sensitive to seasonal production outcomes in hill and Kharif-linked systems and to compliance performance at import clearance (plant quarantine and food-safety checks).
Market RoleMajor producer and large domestic consumption market; active importer and exporter in dried kidney beans
Domestic RoleHousehold and foodservice pulse (rajma) with strong domestic demand; valued for taste and nutritional profile in key producing hill regions
SeasonalityPredominantly Kharif-linked production in traditional foothill systems; market supply is supplemented by imports, reducing strict seasonality at national level.
Risks
Phytosanitary HighQuarantine non-compliance (e.g., missing/incorrect phytosanitary documentation, contamination with regulated pests, or failure to meet plant quarantine conditions) can lead to detention, treatment, re-export/destruction, and—in quarantine pest interception scenarios—temporary suspension of further imports until risk mitigation is reviewed under India’s plant quarantine framework.Align shipment prep with India’s plant quarantine requirements before dispatch: confirm phytosanitary certificate needs and any additional declarations, implement pre-shipment inspection and cleaning to reduce pest/weed/soil contamination risk, and use experienced customs/plant-quarantine handling at the intended point of entry.
Regulatory Compliance HighFood safety non-conformance (e.g., contaminants/toxins/residue exceedances or labelling non-compliance for prepackaged product) can trigger rejection or rework through India’s FSSAI import clearance process.Run pre-shipment testing against FSSAI contaminants/toxins/residue requirements and ensure label artwork/document sets match FSSAI packaging & labelling rules for the intended pack format.
Logistics MediumAs a bulk dry pulse commonly moved by sea, consignments are exposed to transit-time variability, freight-rate swings, and quality loss risk from moisture ingress or infestation during long supply chains.Specify moisture/infestation controls in contracts (packaging, container preparation, and inspection), and build time buffers for sampling/testing holds at port when risk-based checks are triggered.
Market MediumIndia’s two-way trade position (simultaneous importing and exporting in some years) can create price volatility and basis shifts when domestic availability changes or when import sourcing patterns shift across origins.Diversify approved origins and shipment windows, and use flexible procurement clauses tied to clearly defined quality and delivery terms.
FAQ
What HS/ITC(HS) code is commonly used for dried kidney beans in India?Dried kidney beans are classified under HS 071333, and India’s DGFT import classification lists kidney beans under ITC(HS) 07133300 for Schedule-1 (Import Policy) referencing.
Which clearances and documents are typically involved when importing kidney beans for food use into India?Imports generally involve customs filing via ICEGATE (Bill of Entry) and may require plant quarantine compliance (including a phytosanitary certificate where applicable). For food imports, FSSAI runs an import clearance process through FICS (integrated with ICEGATE under SWIFT) that can include document scrutiny, inspection, and risk-based sampling/testing against FSSAI regulations.
Where is rajma traditionally produced in India?ICAR sources describe rajmash (kidney bean) in India as mainly produced as a Kharif crop in traditional systems in the foothills of Himalayan regions, and ICAR publications highlight North-Western Himalayan hill systems where premium landraces are valued for taste.