It is shown that poloidally asymmetric particle transport or fueling in a tokamak generally produces an electric current parallel to the magnetic field, in particular if the transport or fueling is up-down asymmetric. For instance, a current arises in the edge region if most particle transport across the last closed flux surface occurs in the midplane while most refueling comes from recycling near the X-point. This current is negative relative to the bulk plasma current and thus stabilizing to peeling modes if the ion drift is toward the X-point, and changes direction if the magnetic field is reversed. However, this current appears to be smaller than the pedestal bootstrap current under typical conditions.
