Pulses to ease in 15 days as more shipments arrive: IPGA

Mumbai: Imports of around 25 lakh tonnes of pulses by private traders will boost the domestic availability and help bringing down the prices, industry body India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) has said.

"Private importers have contracted 25 lakh tonnes of pulses, which will arrive between October 15 and January 31, 2016. Out of these 25 lakh tonnes, 2.5 lakh tonnes have already arrived at Mumbai port in the last seven days.

"We expect the prices of pulses to drop appreciably in a next few weeks on the back of large quantities of pulses scheduled to arrive at Indian ports," IPGA Chairman Pravin Dongre told reporters here.

The prices of pulses have been ruling as high as Rs 210 per kg in the retail market.

However, when asked about the skyrocketing prices of tur dal, Dongre said, the situation will ease but not drastically.

"The global production of tur has been affected due to poor weather conditions globally affecting the availability that resulted in increase in global prices to USD 1,500-1,600 per tonne of African tur. Last year the prices were ruling at at USD 750 per tonne. Similarly, in India we are concerned about the tur crop, which will be harvested in December, due to deficient rainfall," he added.

Out of 25 lakh tonnes of pulses: there are 10 lakh tonnes of matar, 5 lakh tonnes masoor, 5 lakh tonnes channa and 5 lakh tonnes miscellaneous, including 1.5 lakh tonne tur, he added.

Dongre also urged the Centre to withdraw the stock limit exemption for imported pulses as large amount of stocks that are due to arrive at Indian ports.

"The stock limit will hinder the smooth flow of supply hampering the imports leading to severe scarcity of pulses in the country. It will also damage the reputation of Indian traders globally due to cancellation of import orders," he added.

IPGA, the apex body for the pulses and grains industry in India, also appealed to all state governments to give importers, millers, wholesalers and retailers at least 60 to 90 days to liquidate currently held stocks and achieve the mandated stock limits.

Talking about imports, Dongre said, there will be record shipping this financial to about 50-55 lakh tonnes compared to 46 lakh tonnes in last financial year.

He further said, the association is ready to supply 100 tonnes daily at subsidised rate -- tur at Rs 135 per kg and masoor at Rs 80 - to the government till the price eases.

In 2014, the delayed and deficient monsoons hampered the kharif production and unseasonal rains and hail storms in April, 2015 affected the Rabi production.

The total production for the year 2014-15 stood at 172 lakh tonnes compared to 192.5 lakh tonne in 2013-14 ?- a loss of 20 lakh tonnes.

This year too, the cultivation has been hit by a deficient monsoon and the kharif production, as per the 1st advance estimates the Agriculture Ministry stands at 55.60 lakh tonne from the targeted production of 70.50 lakh tonne, an initial deficit of around 15 lakh tonne.