Import of three pulses will increase, prices may soften

With the expectation of better monsoon and increased imports, the prices of tur (arhar), chana and urad dal are likely to soften from the month of July. This was said by Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare on Friday. She said that the import of these three pulses will also increase from next month and this will help in increasing the domestic supply.

Moong and lentil prices in satisfactory condition

Khare said, ‘The prices of tur (arhar), chana and urad dal have remained stable but high in the last six months. The price situation in moong and lentil dal is satisfactory. On June 13, the average retail price of chana dal was Rs 87.74 per kg, tur (arhar) Rs 160.75 per kg, urad Rs 126.67 per kg, moong Rs 118.9 per kg and lentil Rs 94.34 per kg. The Department of Consumer Affairs collects retail prices from 550 major consumer centers. “Prices of tur, urad and chana are expected to soften from July onwards,” Khare said. The secretary said the weather department has forecast normal monsoon rains.

“We are expecting a good monsoon with above average rainfall. We expect a significant improvement in the area under pulses this year. Farmers will cultivate pulses in a larger area in view of the high market prices. Market sentiment will also improve,” he said. He said the government was making efforts to provide better seeds to farmers.