Diwali festival is near and preparations for sweets and dishes have started in homes. But amidst the festive atmosphere, the kitchen budget may get a bit disturbed. According to the data of Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), in the last one month, the price of gram in the country has increased by 11 percent, moong by 10.6 percent, tur or arhar by 6.5 percent and pea by 6 percent.
How much rise in the price of which pulses?
The rates of pulses have increased rapidly in wholesale markets. Gram has become costlier by 11 percent in a month and by 5.5 percent in a week, which has become costlier by 23 percent as compared to last year. Moong has become expensive by 10.6 percent in a month and by 4.3 percent in a week. Tur or arhar dal has become expensive by 6.5 percent in a month and 2.4 percent in a week, while yellow peas have become expensive by 6 percent in a month and 3 percent in a week. Peas have become expensive by 47 percent year-on-year.
Talking about retail prices, according to government data, chana dal is being sold at around Rs 88.72 per kg, tur dal at Rs 125.72 per kg, moong dal at Rs 112.14 per kg and masoor dal at around Rs 90.43 per kg.
Stock is full yet why prices increased?
The question is that when the government has abundant stock of pulses then why are the prices increasing just before the festivals. Actually, the demand for Diwali is not the only reason, the real game is due to the apprehensions arising regarding the future crop and imports.
In the case of gram, the Agriculture Ministry has warned that due to El Nino and uneven rainfall, soil moisture may remain low this Rabi season. On the other hand, the production in Australia, the largest country sending gram to India, is expected to decrease by 40 to 50 percent this time, due to which the import of gram in India has decreased by 45 percent.
Story of Pigeon pea and Peas
Tur is a Kharif crop and there is a possibility of reduction in yield due to low rainfall and drought like conditions in major producing areas of Maharashtra like Marathwada and Karnataka. At the same time, the supply of yellow peas, which is used as a substitute for gram, has been affected due to the Russia-Ukraine war and global problems, due to which peas have also become expensive.
Is there really a shortage of pulses in the country?
No way. In the year 2025-26, a record 274.09 lakh tonnes of pulses have been produced in India, which is 6.7 percent more than last year. The government has reserved more than 45 lakh tonnes of pulses as buffer stock, whereas the standard is only 35 lakh tonnes. This includes about 19.5 lakh tonnes of gram and 10 lakh tonnes of tur.
But when traders feel that the next crop may be less then they already start increasing the prices. Therefore, despite the warehouses being full, the prices of pulses are rising in the market.