Consumers substituted tur dal with imported green lentils in homes in southern and eastern India, while in the northern and the western regions, tur dal was substituted with lentils in institutional consumption, said experts. Consumption of chana dal, which is being promoted by the central government as healthy alternative to tur dal, also increased in vegetarian meals, they said.
India has imposed a ban on onion exports until March 31, 2024, following a surge in domestic prices to Rs 40/kg due to crop damage from unseasonal rainfall in Maharashtra. This move is expected to result in a significant drop in onion prices in January. Recent surveys by central government officials assessed the damage caused by the rainfall, and while export demand from Bangladesh had initially supported prices, traders anticipate a decline once kharif onions flood the market in January.
The Indian government is considering revoking the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mozambique for importing 200,000 tonnes of tur dal due to irregularities and corruption issues within Mozambique. The supply of tur from Mozambique has been inconsistent, prompting the Indian Pulses and Grains Association to seek assistance from the Prime Ministers Office.
The Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) said that one influential exporter in Mozambique has not been allowing other exporters to ship tur to India, thereby driving up the prices.
The prices of pulses in India have decreased by about 4% in the past month due to increased imports and reduced consumer demand. The price of tur/arhar dal has declined by 4% due to stock limits imposed by the government, while chana dal prices have also fallen by 4% as a result of increased supply and competitive tenders. However, industry executives believe that prices may increase during the festival season. In contrast, tomato prices have significantly dropped, with prices in wholesale markets ranging from Rs 3-6/kg.