The price of tur (pulses) continues to rise despite some new arrivals in major producing states, regular imports, and the presence of old stock.

This is largely driven by strong demand from civil supply corporations in various states, which is keeping pressure on prices.

Additionally, dal millers, who typically rely on new tur to maintain operations, are facing low stock levels and are awaiting the new harvest.

In some regions, tur dal is also supplied through government schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and mid-day meal programs, which further boosts demand.

Rahul Chauhan, a prominent commodity market analyst, indicates that the overall condition of the tur crop seems favorable, and the demand will likely remain strong until new harvests arrive.

As new tur starts to arrive with the right moisture content, dal millers are expected to show increased interest in purchasing it. However, prices may not soften much in the short term due to the ongoing strong demand and limited stock.

Official data shows that the sowing area for tur has increased by 14% this year, from 40.74 lakh hectares to 46.50 lakh hectares. This surge in sowing is attributed to high market prices, which have encouraged farmers to plant more tur.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture's first advance estimate, domestic tur production is expected to increase slightly this year, with an estimated production of 35.02 lakh tonnes for the 2024-25 Kharif season, a rise of 85,000 tonnes over the previous season.

In Karnataka, particularly in the Kalaburagi district, the tur crop is progressing through different stages of maturity, and harvesting is expected to begin in the next two to three weeks, which will contribute to fresh arrivals in the market.

However, overall, as long as the demand from millers and state corporations remains strong, the price of tur is likely to stay elevated.