Pulses prices are likely to rise by about 5 per cent because of higher demand during the festival time amid estimates of lower production in the kharif season this year.
“Stocks are good and imports are taking place at good pace. But, demand for the pulses is expected to rise during Diwali, leading to a five per cent rise in the prices,” Pulses Importers Association of India President K C Bhartiya said.
He said the prices would remain firm as kharif crop production is also less this year.
The retail prices of arhar, chana and moong dal in Delhi have increased a few days before the Dussehra festival began. Currently, arhar dal is being sold at Rs 52 a kg, moong at Rs 60 a kg and chana at Rs 48 a kg compared with Rs 46, Rs 52 and Rs 40, respectively about a month ago.
According to the government’s fourth advance estimates, pulses production is expected to decline by 27 per cent at 4.72 million tonnes in kharif 2008 against 6.45 million tonnes in the last season. Main pulses grown during kharif include arhar, urad and moong.
As part of measures to control the high levels of inflation, the Centre has decided to offer four lakh tonnes of pulses at a subsidy of Rs 10 a kg.
It has decided to import 1.5 million tonnes of pulses to increase the availability in the domestic market. The country is expected to import 3 million tonnes of pulses both in government and private trade accounts. Bhartiya appreciated the government’s decision to offer pulses at subsidised rates for the benefit of the common man.