Highlights from the discussion on Urad at SAAF 2025

22-Jan-2025 11:03 AM

Highlights from the discussion on Urad at SAAF 2025
SAAF 2025- Urad Panel
Moderator
Manisha Gupta, CNBC TV18, India

Panel Members
Rohit Poptani, Krishna Canvassers, IndiaHiten Kataria, Sunraj Shipping Agency, IndiaShyam Narsaria, Arvee International, Myanmar Rahul Agrawal, Shiv Shakti Group, Nepal 
India (2024-25 Season):
★ Estimated urad (black gram) production is 20 lakh tons, 2 lakh tons less than last year. With 7 lakh tons of imports, total availability will be 31.2 lakh tons.
★ Consumption is expected to be 27 lakh tons, leaving a stock of 37,000 tons at the end of the season.
★ Last year (2023-24), availability was 33.6 lakh tons, with 6 lakh tons imported and 29 lakh tons consumed. Increased pea imports affected the demand for other pulses.
Imports and Production:
★ From April to December, 6 lakh tons of peas were imported (up from 4.57 lakh tons last year and 3.86 lakh tons in 2022-23).
★ Brazil is emerging as a key urad supplier to India alongside Myanmar. Brazil exported 22,000 tons of high-quality urad by October 2024 and is expected to send 50,000 tons by March 2025.
★ Myanmar's urad production for 2024-25 is projected at 10.5-11 lakh tons (up from 8.75 lakh tons last year). Exports from Myanmar could reach 9.5 lakh tons for 2025.
Price Trends:
★ In 2022, urad prices were low but rose in 2023, stabilizing at higher levels in 2024.
★ Myanmar urad prices (FAQ: $1150/ton, SQ: $1260/ton in 2023) have dropped to $820 and $930/ton due to increased supply.
Competitiveness:
★ Brazil's entry as a supplier has ended Myanmar's monopoly, fostering competition similar to what happened with lentils.
★ Urad availability in India remains strong, and significant price increases are unlikely.