At a time when short supply of tur dal is pushing up its prices in the domestic markets, prices of rice are hovering at reasonable levels as its arrival season has kicked off recently.

Tur dal, which was trading at a price of Rs 94-110 per kg at the beginning of the month, has touched Rs 100-115 per kg mark on Monday. Traders in the Kalamana market said that tur dal prices may further rise.

Ramesh Umate, one of the leading grain dealers, said that there is a shortage of tur dal in the markets. “As there is no arrival of tur dal at this point in time, markets are experiencing its shortage and thus prices are rising consistently,” he said. Many tur dal states have recorded less production in the current year compared to the previous year.

But tur dal prices had dropped recently because of some international factors and policies of Government. However, the impact vanished within a short span of time and the prices are again going northwards.

Apart from this, the prices of chana dal (Rs 57-63 per kg) and mung dal (Rs 75-90 per kg) have remained unchanged during the same period. However, masur dal price that was at a level of Rs 85-90/kg about ten days back, has come down to Rs 80-85 per kg.

In the meanwhile, arrival of new crop of rice has started recently in the markets. “But the buyers are yet to respond and thus the prices are trading at a very reasonable levels,” Umate said adding that it is a right time for the customers to buy rice. Shriram, one of the well-known variety of rice, is available at a price of Rs 45-47 per kg in the wholesale market while Kali Muchh is available at Rs 49-52 per kg. Another dealer, who wished not to be quoted also said that rice is available at a very reasonable price.