As the recent spells of unseasonal rains have caused significant crop loss of tur dal in major cultivation areas, its prices in the domestic and international markets have touched all time highs. The price of tur (fatka quality) that was available at Rs 110-115 per kg in March in the wholesale market, has now touched Rs 145-150 per kg which is a record high. Similarly, tur dal (fod quality) was trading at a price of Rs 90-95 per kg in March in the wholesale market which has now touched Rs 135-140 per kg mark. The retail prices of both the qualities of the pulses are Rs 20-25 more than of its wholesale price.

Pratap Motwani, one of the wholesalers and Secretary of The Nagpur Wholesale Grains and Seeds Merchants Association, said the country has never seen such a high price of tur. “It will burn a hole in the pockets of consumers who have never seen tur dal touching these levels. In retail markets, they are buying it at a price of Rs 165-170 per kg (fatka quality),” he said. Motwani also said that the prices are likely to go further up in coming months. “There is a shortage of tur dal in the domestic as well as in the international markets because of unfavourable weather conditions,” he said.

Tur dal arrives in the market between December and March and thus the consumers will have to wait for the next 6-7 months to get the new crop. Till then, the commodity is likely to be in short supply and its prices will rise further.

Ramesh Umate, another leading grain dealer, said that there is a shortage of tur dal in the markets.“There is no fresh arrival of tur dal at this point in time and thus prices are going beyond the reach of consumers,” he said. Many tur dal states have recorded less production in the current year compared to the previous year, he added.