Government allows export of tur, moong and urad after a decade

PUNE: Government has opened up exports of tur, moong and urad dal after more than a decade. This will help support prices of urad and moong currently being harvested and the bumper tur crop, which will hit the markets in a next two/ three months.

India had banned export of pulses in 2006, which was extended from time to time. The prohibition on exports of pulses is not applied to export of kabuli chana and export of 10,000 tonnes of organic pulses and lentils per annum, while export of pulses are also allowed to Bhutan and Maldives.

Traders had been demanding opening up of exports for about a year now.

Farmers are presently harvesting moong and urad. However, prices of both the pulses are ruling below the MSP. Urad prices, ruling at Rs 3000/quintal in Maharashtra, are almost Rs 1000/quintal below the MSP.

Though lower than previous year, India is again set to harvest a big crop of tur from December. The central government has big stock of pulses, it has procured in the previous year to support prices.