Saskatchewan farmers are hoping India will reduce tariffs and import restrictions on pulse crop imports introduced 18 months ago.

The executive director of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers association, Carl Potts, says drought in parts of India, a shrinking stockpile of domestic pulses and the end of a long election campaign could be positive factors for Canadian producers.

Potts believes India will need to return to foreign markets for increased amounts of pulse crops and Canada offers some of the most cost-competitive supplies.

Potts says domestic pulse crop prices in India have been rising and the trend may lead to a relaxation of restrictions and import duties now in place.

He says some lentils have been sold into India this year, but it’s more difficult for peas which face import quotas.