Increased supply results in fall in price of pulses

AHMEDABAD: Prices of pulses, a rich source of protein and an integral part of an Indian meal, are likely to correct. Branded players like Tata and Adani anticipate chana and tur dal prices to fall by 5 per cent to 10 per cent in a fortnight, owing to increased arrivals in the domestic market.

However, traders and companies feel that an unstable rupee against the US dollar could firm the prices.

"With the arrival of vessels in a week to ten days carrying chana from Australia to Kolkata and Mumbai port, the sentiments are weak in the market and a correction of 5 per cent to 10 per cent is expected in the coming days," said Angshu Mallick, COO, Adani Wilmar.

The company sells 200 tonne pulses a month under the Jubilee brand name in the north.

Companies say that wholesale prices of chana have seen a correction of Rs 1-2 a kg in the past few days.

"The festival season is over and prices are expected to correct. Marriage demand will not make a huge impact on chana prices," said Ashvini Hiran, COO, consumer products business, Tata Chemicals.

The company is selling chana, tur, urad, rajma, moong and masoor pulses that cumulatively comprise over 80 per cent of the market under i-Shakti Dals brand. Ashvini further added that pigeon peas (tur/arhar dal) prices would also correct with domestic harvesting to begin by January.

Already prices of imported pigeon peas dal has corrected by Rs 6 a kg to Rs 54 a kg with the import of pigeon peas from Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania progressing.