Unseasonal Rains: Why Moong Farmers Are Struggling This Season

The moong market in India faces significant challenges due to unseasonal rain in key producing states of India. The rains in September have severely affected the crops in regions like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. As a result, the demand for old stock has surged, leading to a significant price increase in just a few days. This trend is likely to continue, driven by concerns over crop damage and, well, there’s only so much stock available, after all.

Some States Step Up: How Moong Farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh Are Doing Better

While the adverse weather impacts certain regions, other states have seen an increase in moong production. Favorable conditions in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, and Jharkhand have led to a 15% increase in summer moong sowing. The harvest in these regions has been excellent, helping to stabilize the market to some extent. Though, Madhya Pradesh has also seen higher production levels, some traders believe it might not be enough to offset the losses elsewhere.

Moong Prices: What’s Driving the Ups and Downs?

For the past four to five months, the moong trade has fluctuated, with prices rising and falling marginally. However, the recent rains in Rajasthan have increased the risk of further crop damage. Areas like Jaipur, Pali, Merta, Bikaner, and Kota have been particularly affected. The persistent bad weather in Maharashtra's Akola, Jalgaon, Parbhani, and Aurangabad has also negatively impacted the crop. Due to this reduced supply, local dal mills are actively buying old stock. The high prices in Maharashtra have made it difficult to load goods for markets in North India, including Delhi. Local mills had been waiting for new goods from Maharashtra, but the shortage has forced them to buy from other states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Will Supply Hold? The Uncertain Future of India’s Moong Crop

India's total moong production was initially estimated at 5.2-5.3 million metric tons for the year. However, the ongoing rains have raised concerns over potential crop damage, which could lead to a reduction in the final yield. This reduction is likely to increase market prices further as the supply chain tightens.

Volatile Patterns in Moong Market

The moong market in India is currently experiencing significant volatility due to weather-related disruptions. While states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have seen good harvests, regions affected by rain face crop damage and supply shortages. This has driven up prices, with further increases expected if the weather continues to impact production. 

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