With pulses prices skyrocketing, state-owned MMTC has invited global bids for import of 1,000 tonnes of chickpeas (gram) from Australia.
Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC), which is importing 5,000 tonnes each of tur and urad on behalf of the government, has tendered for chickpeas import on its own to boost domestic supply and check prices.
As per the tender, the shipment of chickpeas should reach Kolkata by the end of this month. The price should be quoted in US dollar and the latest crop of chickpeas should be imported from Australia.
Bids should be submitted by October 13 and the decision on it would be taken on the same day. The import quantity can be raised depending on the rates quoted, MMTC said.
As per the data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry, retail prices of all varieties of pulses -- gram, tur, urad, moong and masoor dal -- have risen by up to 75 per cent in the last one year, costing over Rs 100 per kg.
Pulses production is estimated to have come down to 17.20 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) from 19.25 million tonnes in the previous crop year due to deficient monsoon last year and unseasonal rains.
India, the world's biggest pulses importer, purchased 4.58 million tonnes of pulses in the 2014-15 fiscal from the overseas market as against 3.17 million tonnes in the previous year.
