Rising Pulse Prices Cast A Shadow On Festive Season In Pune
Pune, 31st August 2023: As the festive season unfolds, the cost of turdal, a staple legume, has surged considerably. In the span of two months, the price of turdal has soared from Rs 100 to a range between Rs 160 and Rs 170 per kilogram. This price escalation is mirrored in other pulse varieties like gram dal, urad dal, masoor dal, and moong dal, all of which have witnessed an average price increment.
Attributed to diminished yields from the previous year and elevated global pulse rates, domestic pulse prices have witnessed a surge. Turdal, which was priced between Rs 100 and Rs 110 two months ago, has now marked a substantial leap to Rs 160-170 per kilogram. The price trajectory for gram dal has seen it rise from Rs 57-58 to Rs 70 per kilogram, while urad dal has surged from Rs 90 to Rs 110 per kilogram. Masoor dal, too, has experienced an upward shift from Rs 58-60 to Rs 70-72. Moong dal, once priced at Rs 80, now commands a range of Rs 85 to Rs 110 per kilogram, according to insights shared by pulse trader Nitin Nahar.
The subdued production of pulses during the kharif season, coupled with untimely weather conditions including hailstorms and heatwaves, has contributed to the dwindling pulse yield. In response to a potential pulse scarcity, the central government abolished import duties on pulses and lentils on March 29, 2022. This exemption is slated to remain in effect until March 31, 2024. However, despite this policy change, the expected pulse imports have not materialized as anticipated. Furthermore, the quality of domestically produced tur has been adversely affected due to exposure to rain, leading to a diminished output of around 60-65 kg of dal per 100 kg of tur.
As farmers brought their tur produce to agricultural produce market committees, the average price ranged between Rs 10,000 and Rs 13,000 on Tuesday, August 29. Taking into account the associated processing, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, prospects of turdal prices undergoing near-future reduction appear bleak, as observed by Nahar.
Across the nation, the cultivation of pulses has experienced a decline during the kharif season. Pulse cultivation is heavily reliant on sufficient rainfall through June. This year’s delayed rains in July have adversely impacted pulse sowing. In a comparative view, by August 25 of the previous year, pulse cultivation had covered 128.07 lakh hectares across the country. In the current season, this figure has receded to 117.44 lakh hectares.
Among the specific varieties, turdal is cultivated across 42.11 lakh hectares, urad dal across 31.10 lakh hectares, moong dal across 30.64 lakh hectares, kulith across 0.26 lakh hectares, and other pulse varieties across 13.34 lakh hectares. With reduced cultivation, the prices of pulses are expected to remain elevated in the coming year.
Join Punekar News Whatsapp Group, Telegram, Instagram And Twitter For Regular Update about Pune City And Pimpri-Chinchwad
