Prices of pulses started falling at the wholesale

Prices of pulses started falling at the wholesale market during the week largely on the back of an improvement in supplies after the government announced a series of measures to curb rising prices and intensified crackdown against hoarding in several states, seizing 50,000 tonnes of pulses. Marketmen said the fall in pulse prices led by arhar, which soared to an all-time high, was supported by the government's decision to further import pulses and conducting raids on hoarders. Meanwhile, the government imposed stock limits on pulses held by licensed food processors, importers, exporters as well as large departmental retailers to curb soaring prices.

Intensifying crackdown against hoarding across 10 states, Maharashtra and Karnataka seized over 50,000 tonnes of pulses in the past few days while prices saw a modest dip in some parts of the country. The seized lentils will be offloaded in the market to boost supply. In order to boost availability, the state-owned Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy's 300 Safal outlets started selling imported toor at Rs 120-130 per kg in Delhi.

In the national capital, arhar and its dal dara variety dropped to Rs 12,100-12,400 and Rs 14,000-14,200 against last close of Rs 12,500-12,900 and Rs 14,100-14,300 per quintal, respectively. Urad and its dal chilka local eased to Rs 9,300-10,300 and Rs 10,300-10,500 from previous levels of Rs 9900-11,000 and Rs 11,000-11,200 per quintal, respectively. Urad dal best quality and dhoya dipped to Rs 10,400-11,000 and Rs 10,800-11,000 from the last close of Rs 11,100-11,700 and Rs 11,500-11,700 per quintal, respectively.

Moong and its dal chilka local lost Rs 400 each at Rs 7,400-8,000 and Rs 8,000-8,400 per quintal, respectively. Its dal dhoya local and best quality followed suit and eased by a similar margin to Rs 8,300-8,800 and Rs 8,800-9,000 per quintal. Masoor small and bold weakened by Rs 100 each to Rs 6,200-6,900 and Rs 6,100-7,000 per quintal, respectively.

Gram, gramdal local and best quality were down by Rs 300 each to Rs 5,000-5,700, Rs 5,300-5,500 and Rs 5,400-5,700 per quintal, respectively. Kabli gram small variety shed Rs 50 at Rs 5100-7600 per quintal.