Much to the discomfort of consumers, retail prices of key pulses like moong have risen sharply in most parts of the country in view of likely shortfall in kharif production of lentils following deficient rains.
Among metros, Chennai consumers are paying the maximum price for tur, urad and moong, followed by Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. People who recently battled nearly record high rates of onions and tomatoes are now faced with costly pulses.
According to data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry, retail price of moong has touched Rs 99 per kg today from Rs 72 per kg a year ago. Similarly, urad rate has increased to Rs 90 per kg from Rs 61, and tur price has gone up to Rs 81 per kg from 71 per kg.
In Delhi, retail prices of tur, urad and moong are ruling in the range of Rs 80-88 per kg. In Mumbai and Kolkata, prices of these three pulses are in the range of Rs 78-95 per kg and Rs 73-95 per kg, respectively.
"The prices of all three kharif (summer) pulses have already breached the 2012 levels," farm research and consulting body Agriwatch CEO V N Saroja told PTI.
As wholesale and retail prices keep rising, the demand is bound to decline, she said, adding that government needs to ensure that farmers get their fair share of this price increase.
"Or we may see more acreage moving to soybean as has been happening over the years." she added.
Pulses are largely grown in rainfed areas and because of deficient monsoon kharif production of the moong, urad and tur is expected to be hit and has already pushed up their prices.
However, since maximum pulses are grown in the rabi (winter) season that starts next month, the government is aiming to make up shortfall of the key lentils during this period.
