Pulses prices continue to rise despite imports

Prices of pulses in the country show no signs of cooling off in spite of the government’s efforts to increase domestic supply through imports.

The Centre has imported 1.4 million tonnes of pulses since April last year through state-run trading firms STC, MMTC, PEC and NAFED.

Still, the retail prices of main pulses such as arhar, moong and urad continue to rule high. In some places, it is even selling near Rs 50 per kg.

This increase in prices has occurred within the last one month. For instance, arhar was available at Rs 42-44 a kg a month ago in the national capital, but now, prices have surged to Rs 48-50. Similarly, processed urad dal (dhuli) prices have risen to Rs 55-56 a kg from Rs 42-44.

However, government data show that the retail price of arhar in Delhi as on July 11 is Rs 43 a kg, while that of gram is Rs 34.50 per kg.

The public sector trading agencies have so far imported 1.4 million tonnes of different pulses comprising yellow peas (white matar), pigeon peas (tur) and others since April 2007. Private trade, which imports pulses at zero duty, is also active. In 2007-08, total import of pulses stood at 2.5-3 million tonnes.