Tur dal (lentils) prices, which shot up to a never-before Rs 250 per kg, but came down to Rs 220 per kg following government aid and intervention, would remain so for at least another two months, according to De.Srenivasan, head, operations, Vasmo Agro Nutri Product Pvt. Ltd, a Chennai-based company dealing in variety of pulses.
Though India is a leading producer of tur dal in the world, more than 70% of production is domestically consumed, resulting in high dependence on imports from other countries. Myanmar is one of the leading countries from where India imports tur dal. But in the current year, the uneven rainfall in Myanmar is said to have resulted in shortage of the commodity and rise in its price.
Adding to it, in the domestic market, prices shot up as unpredictable monsoon affected the Kharif crop (July-October) and there were expectations of a low yield Rabi crop (October-March).
This being the scenario an early solution to the issue is unlikely. Srenivasan explained, “With the arrival of new stock in the month of January there are chances of prices to go back to Rs 90 per kg. But below Rs 90 is impossible with rising demand, increasing population and growing dependence on imports. Though government has given its best by bringing down the prices from Rs 250 to 220 but with limited stock there are very less chances of reduction in rate till next year.”
He added, “For the time being, as a relief to the state consumer in Tamil Nadu, the state government has announced the sale of tur dal at Rs 110 per kg per ration cardholder.”
