Tur Dal Prices Surge Over 10% Despite Open Import Policy

Despite India’s open import policy for tur dal, prices have surged by more than 10% in less than a month, sparking concerns within the pulses processing industry. The shortage of raw tur beans, essential for converting into tur dal, has contributed to the price hike.

While the government suspects hoarding by importers, the Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) attributes the surge in prices to hoarding by exporting countries and Gujarat’s procurement of tur dal. In markets like Latur, tur prices have risen from ₹102-104/kg to ₹115-117/kg within a month, with retail consumers paying as much as ₹160-200/kg for tur dal.

The processing industry cites a shortage of raw material and high prices of imported tur as factors behind the price surge. Suresh Agarwal, chairman of the All India Dal Millers Association, advocates for allowing processors to import pulses directly rather than relying on import houses.

Despite India’s free import policy for tur dal, prices of imported tur have remained high this year, exacerbating the shortage for dal production, according to Rupesh Rathi, a pulses processor from Akola.

Industry experts anticipate further price increases until the end of April, with potential relief for consumers thereafter.