Overall Decline in Pulse Prices Except Chana

After a period of high prices lasting over a year, the prices of major pulses like lentils, tuvar, and urad have dropped by an average of 10 percent across the country in July. The chana (gram) market, however, has seen a different trend. After experiencing a slight dip in July, chana prices have begun to rise again in August.

Improved Supply and Government Measures Stabilize the Market

Government interventions, including the imposition of stock limits and a liberal import policy, have helped stabilize the pulse market. The combination of adequate monsoon rains and increased emergency stocks from higher sowing in the current Kharif season has improved supply. As a result, the prices of gram, tuvar, and urad in major mandis have decreased by up to 4 percent over the past month.

Specific Price Changes

Tuvar prices have dropped by 8 percent, with the model retail price falling to $1,92 per kg, marking a 5.8 percent decrease from the previous month. Overall, the retail price of pulses declined by 10 percent, which translates to a $0.12 per kg reduction compared to the previous month. The sowing of pulses, including tuvar, urad, and moong, has increased by 10.9 percent during the ongoing Kharif season, reaching 11.06 million hectares by August 2. This expansion is driven by favorable monsoon conditions and is expected to boost pulse production in states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.

In June, the government imposed stock limits on tuvar and chana, extended duty-free imports of tuvar, urad, and masoor (lentils) until March 31, 2025, and removed import duties on desi chana. These steps were taken to curb hoarding and stabilize prices.

The pulse market in India has displayed mixed trends, with a general decline in prices for most pulses in July, while chana prices have begun to rise again in August. Government actions and favorable weather conditions have played key roles in stabilizing the market, with expectations of increased pulse production in the coming months.