Mandi Prices of Tur and Urad Drop by 10% in Last 3 Months, Retail Prices Remain Unchanged

Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, chaired a meeting today with the Retailers Association of India (RAI) and key organized retail chains to discuss the recent trends in pulse prices, especially ahead of the festive season. The meeting addressed the notable divergence between declining mandi prices and stagnant retail prices for major pulses.

Khare highlighted that mandi prices for pulses like Tur and Urad have fallen by around 10% over the past three months due to increased availability and a larger sown area for Kharif pulses. However, retail prices have not reflected this decline. She also mentioned that despite a recent drop in mandi prices for Chana, retail prices continue to rise. This growing gap between wholesale and retail prices raises concerns about retailers extracting excessive margins. She emphasized that the government will closely monitor these trends and take necessary action if the disparities widen further.

The meeting was attended by representatives from major retail chains including Reliance Retail Ltd., Vishal Mart, D Mart, Spencer, and More Retail. Khare informed the participants that Kharif pulses, such as Urad and Moong, have begun arriving in the market, and imports of Tur and Urad from East Africa and Myanmar are also bolstering domestic supplies. Moreover, the quantity of pulse stocks disclosed by large retailers on the Department of Consumer Affairs' stock disclosure portal has been rising weekly, reflecting improved availability.

She also noted that the sowing area for Kharif pulses this year has increased by over 7% compared to last year, with favorable crop conditions. As preparations for the upcoming Rabi season begin, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has assigned specific focus plans to major pulse-producing states to boost production and move towards self-sufficiency in pulses. NAFED and NCCF will continue their role in registering farmers and distributing seeds, as they did during the Kharif season.

Given the current favorable availability and easing mandi prices, Khare urged the retail industry to support the government’s efforts in keeping dal prices affordable for consumers. She encouraged retailers to collaborate with NAFED and NCCF to expand the distribution of Bharat Dals, such as Bharat Masur Dal and Bharat Moong Dal, to ensure wider accessibility to consumers. The following images illustrate the price trends, retail margins, and stock levels of Tur, Urad, and Chana across major chain retailers in various Indian states: