TAD News Desk, New Delhi: Government measures have led to declining of tur dal prices around 15-20 percent where other pulses remained stable or saw marginal decline including masur and chana.
The decline in prices of these commodities has been due to extension of the import window of tur dal till December 31, cutting down on import tariffs of masur and, offloading of Chana to intervene in the market to tackle the high prices. Tur dal had touched skyrocketing price of mill rate at rs120/kg and retail pricing at rs150/kg.
Since the announcement of import window of Tur dal by government, Latur has observed a decline of ex-mill prices of Tur to rs100/kg from rs120/kg. Government is also selling tur to states through PDS.
The bilateral agreement with Mozambique has been renewed by the Indian government for five more years in which they will import 200,000 tonnes of Tur Dal every year.
Nitin Kalantary, a pulse processor of Maharashtra said that
“Various measures announced by the government changed the market sentiments, reducing the demand for pulses in the market. This has helped cool down prices.”
In addition to the 200,000 tonnes of Tur from Mozambique’s, 325,000 tonnes of additional Tur is expected to arrive in the country till December 31, of the allowed 400,000 tonnes.
The market also observed stabilization of Chana prices due to the subdued demands in Diwali and the stopping of distribution of Chana through PDS under PM’s Garib Kalyan Yojana. Till December 31, low import duty around 10 percent on Masoor Dal has also been imposed by the government.
The industry is wary of these policy changes although ahead of Bihar’s assembly elections the high prices have been curbed. Farmer’s margin of their produce would be adversely affected because of these heavy imports.
Hemal Shah, another pulse processor from Gujarat said during a meeting of All India Dal Millers Association, The government gave a very small window for import of tur, moong and urad, which led to rising in prices of these pulses in the world, benefitting farmers and traders in other countries. We request the government to announce the import policy for pulses for the entire year so that the traders and consumers do not suffer.”
Source –The Economic Times
