Huge fall in prices of tur dal due to softening of tur prices
06-May-2025 07:22 PM
Mumbai. Data released by the main monitoring cell of the Central Consumer Affairs Department shows that the model retail price of tur dal on May 5, 2025 fell to Rs 120 per kg at the national level, which is about 25 percent lower than the prevailing price of Rs 160 per kg in February 2025.
The drop is attributed to increased domestic production and continued heavy imports, which improved the supply and availability of tur, while demand weakened due to the availability of cheaper substitutes like yellow peas and Desi gram.
Although the Union Agriculture Ministry has estimated domestic tur production to increase marginally by 90 thousand tonnes—from 34.20 lakh tonnes in the 2023-24 season to 35.10 lakh tonnes in 2024-25—the trade and industry sector believes that actual production may be 10–15 percent higher than the government estimate.
Market arrivals have been strong, and in Maharashtra, prices have fallen below the minimum support price (MSP), while in other producing states, they are only slightly above it. This year, government procurement of tur is expected to rise significantly.
During the financial year 2024-25, India's tur imports from countries such as Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, and others crossed 11 lakh tonnes. Imports from Myanmar and elsewhere are still continuing.
The government has extended the deadline for duty-free import of tur to 31 March 2026, reassuring Indian importers and foreign suppliers.
Availability has increased further due to new arrivals in Myanmar, with over 42 thousand tonnes exported to India in April alone. In African countries, sowing is nearly complete, and harvesting will begin around August-September.
The central government has already announced its intention to purchase 100% of surplus tur. Agencies like NAFED and NCCF are actively buying from farmers at MSP.
Sowing of the new tur crop in India will begin next month, with harvesting expected in December-January. Despite strong government procurement, a substantial increase in tur prices seems unlikely in the near future.