Pigeon Peas (Tur / Toor Dal)
Elysium Agri exports pigeon peas (tur, toor, arhar, Cajanus cajan) as whole tur and as toor dal, the split, dehusked yellow dal behind sambar and everyday Indian dal. We supply unpolished, water-polished and oil-polished toor dal, sortexed and tested for moisture, admixture, pesticides and heavy metals.
Maharashtra and Karnataka grow about two-thirds of India's tur, and Gulbarga tur dal carries a GI tag. India's toor dal exports go mainly to the USA, UAE, Canada, Nepal and the UK, for South Asian kitchens abroad.
Pigeon Peas Specification
Forms
Whole tur · toor dal (split, dehusked)
Finish
Unpolished · water-polished · oil-polished
Purity
98–99% (sortex)
Moisture
12% max
Foreign Matter
0.5% max
Damaged / Discoloured
≤ 2%
Broken (toor dal)
≤ 3%
Weevilled
≤ 0.5%
Lead / Cadmium
≤ 0.20 / ≤ 0.040 mg/kg (EU)
Container Load
20 ft ≈ 24 MT
Pigeon Peas: Full Export Specification
The standard export specification for our whole tur and toor dal, benchmarked to the FSSAI pulses standard (Codex CXS 171 does not cover pigeon peas). Send your own specification with your enquiry.
| General | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.): whole, or split and dehusked (toor dal) | Tur / toor / arhar |
| Crop / season | Kharif crop of about 180 days; harvested Dec–Feb; arrivals Jan–Mar | Crop year on each contract |
| Colour | Whole: cream to brown · dal: bright yellow | Visual |
| Physical | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 98–99% | — |
| Moisture | ≤ 12% | ISO 24557; FSSAI max 14% whole / 12% dal |
| Foreign matter | ≤ 0.5% | FSSAI max 1% |
| Damaged / discoloured | ≤ 2% | FSSAI discoloured max 3% |
| Broken / small pieces (dal) | ≤ 3% | FSSAI broken max 3% |
| Weevilled | ≤ 0.5% | Buyer limit |
| FSSAI / Codex benchmarks | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture (FSSAI legal max) | 14% whole · 12% dehusked / split | FSSAI 2.4.6(22), 2025 |
| Extraneous matter | ≤ 1% (mineral ≤ 0.25%, animal origin ≤ 0.10%) | FSSAI |
| Other edible grains | ≤ 2% | FSSAI |
| Damaged (incl. broken ≤ 3%) | ≤ 7% | FSSAI |
| Discoloured | ≤ 3% | FSSAI |
| Food safety | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticide residues | Within EU / destination MRLs (e.g. EU chlorpyrifos and thiamethoxam 0.01 mg/kg) | LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS multi-residue screen |
| Lead | ≤ 0.20 mg/kg | ICP-MS; EU limit for pulses (Reg 2023/915) |
| Cadmium | ≤ 0.040 mg/kg | ICP-MS; EU limit for pulses |
| Uric acid | ≤ 100 mg/kg | FSSAI |
| Live insects | Nil | Visual; fumigated before loading |
| Commercial | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 0713 60 00 (pigeon peas, whether or not skinned or split) | Covers whole tur and toor dal |
| Packing | 25 / 50 kg PP or BOPP bags · jute bags on request · 1 MT jumbo bags | Buyer's marks and private label on request |
| Container load | 20 ft: about 24 MT · 40 ft HC: about 26–27 MT | See Pigeon Peas Packing and Container Loading |
| Shelf life | 12 months in cool, dry storage | Cool, dry, ventilated storage away from odours |
| Documents | Phytosanitary Certificate · Certificate of Origin · Certificate of Analysis (moisture, admixture, pesticides, lead, cadmium) · Fumigation Certificate (where required by destination) · Independent inspection (SGS or buyer's surveyor) on request | — |
Unpolished, Water-Polished or Oily Toor Dal?
Toor dal is sold by finish as well as grade. The finish changes look, shelf life and labelling.
| Finish | What it is | Typical buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Unpolished | Milled and sortexed; no polish | Health-food and EU / US retail |
| Water-polished | Polished with water for a brighter look | Indian and Gulf retail |
| Oily (oil-polished) | Coated with a little edible oil to protect against insects | US and UK diaspora stores, where "oily toor dal" is a known product |
Tur and Toor Dal Options
Whole Tur
For millers and canners.
Toor Dal Unpolished
Sortexed, no polish.
Oily Toor Dal
For US / UK diaspora markets.
Also: Red Lentils →Urad →
Pigeon Peas Packing and Container Loading
| Pack type | Net weight | Units per 20 ft | Net per 20 ft | Net per 40 ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP bag | 50 kg | ≈ 480–520 | ≈ 24–26 MT | ≈ 26–28 MT |
| PP / BOPP bag | 25 kg | ≈ 960–1,040 | ≈ 24–26 MT | ≈ 26–28 MT |
| Jumbo bag | 1,000 kg | ≈ 24 | ≈ 24 MT | ≈ 26–28 MT |
Where Pigeon Peas Are Used
Sambar
South Indian lentil stew.
Everyday Dal
Toor dal tadka and plain dal.
Restaurants and Caterers
Bulk dal supply.
Retail Packs
1–10 kg packs for diaspora stores.
Canned and Ready Meals
Cooked dal products.
Caribbean and African Cooking
Whole pigeon peas and rice.
Toor Dal Price: What Sets It
Tur is priced per quintal in Indian mandis; toor dal per quintal or per metric tonne FOB. Imports from Africa and Myanmar keep prices in check.
- Indian crop: Maharashtra and Karnataka monsoon and harvest.
- Imports: tur imports are free until March 2027 (Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, Myanmar).
- Support price: MSP 2026-27 is ₹8,450 per quintal.
- Finish: unpolished and oily dal are priced differently.
- Milling yield: dal recovery sets the dal-to-tur margin.
Prices move with the crop and the market, so we quote on the day. Tell us your grade, quantity and port for a current FOB, CFR or CIF price.
Tested, Certified and Traceable
Indian pulses are not under increased EU border checks, but we test to EU and destination limits for every buyer.
- Lot sampling
- Moisture, admixture, pesticide and heavy-metal tests
- Phytosanitary, fumigation and export documents
Documents with every shipment
Get a Pigeon Pea Quote
Share your grade, quantity and destination, and we will send an FOB or CIF price with the spec sheet.
Thank you. Our pulses desk will send your price and spec sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are pigeon peas?
Pigeon peas (tur, toor or arhar, Cajanus cajan) are a pulse eaten whole or as toor dal, the split, dehusked yellow dal used in sambar and everyday Indian dal.
What is the difference between tur and toor dal?
Tur is the whole pigeon pea. Toor dal is tur that has been dehusked and split into yellow halves.
What is oily toor dal?
Oily toor dal is toor dal coated with a little edible oil to protect it from insects and moisture. It is popular with South Asian shoppers in the USA and UK. Unpolished toor dal has no coating.
What is the specification of toor dal for export?
Export toor dal typically has 98–99% purity, moisture ≤ 12%, foreign matter ≤ 0.5%, damaged ≤ 2%, broken ≤ 3% and weevilled ≤ 0.5%, with pesticide, lead and cadmium results to buyer limits.
What is the HS code for pigeon peas?
Pigeon peas, whole or split (toor dal), are exported from India under ITC-HS 0713 60 00.
Can toor dal be exported from India?
Yes. Export of tur and toor dal has been allowed since the 2017 ban was lifted. India also imports tur, which is free to import until 31 March 2027.
Who exports toor dal from India?
Elysium Agri Corporation, based in Jamnagar, Gujarat, exports whole tur and toor dal (unpolished, water-polished or oily), sortexed and tested for moisture, admixture, pesticides and heavy metals.
