Retail dal prices have risen by Rs 20-30 per kg across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region after wholesale pulse rates at Navi Mumbai’s Vashi Agricultural Produce Market Committee increased amid supply shortages, deficient monsoon rainfall, higher logistics costs and festive-season demand.
Prices of major pulses at Vashi APMC have climbed by Rs 10-20 per kg in recent weeks. The wholesale market recorded an average increase of Rs 15 per kg from the previous month as local arrivals tightened, according to the Grain, Rice and Oilseeds Merchants’ Association (GROMA).
GROMA president Bhimji Bhanushali attributed the lower foodgrain arrivals to drought conditions across Maharashtra. He said the rise in wholesale rates was being passed on to retail markets, where price controls were limited.
Chana prices at the wholesale market increased from Rs 72 to Rs 82 per kg over the past month. Retail chana prices rose from Rs 110 to Rs 130 per kg. Wholesale tur prices climbed from Rs 90 to Rs 105 per kg, while retail tur dal in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region averaged about Rs 150 per kg, compared with Rs 120 earlier.
Moong dal wholesale prices rose from Rs 95 to Rs 105 per kg, with retail prices averaging Rs 140 per kg. Rohan Sawant, a consumer, said the increase had significantly disrupted his household budget.
Market participants said the pressure on prices was linked to production losses in growing regions across Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Bhanushali said major pulse-producing states received below-average rainfall during the June-September monsoon, leading to drought declarations in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The market has also been affected by higher inventories held by millers and stockists ahead of the festive season. Annual increases in minimum support prices have added to selling prices, according to the report.
The impact has extended beyond pulses. APMC grain market director Nilesh Veera said premium Kolam rice prices rose from Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg over the past fortnight. Basmati rice prices increased by an average of Rs 5 per kg, while wheat and millet prices remained unchanged.
Veera said the government was considering a reduction in import duty on pulses to stabilise the local market. The effect of any such measure, however, was yet to be seen, leaving households and retailers exposed to continued volatility in essential food prices.
