Prices of tur dal have decreased slightly after the government on June 2 imposed a stock limit on traders and processors. However, the dal processing industry expects tur prices to remain firm over the next three-four months because of supply shortage.
Unprocessed whole tur beans are processed at the dal mills to produce spit tur or tur dal. Ex-mill tur dal prices have increased by about 30% since January. Last week, prices of unprocessed whole tur crossed Rs 100/kg, the comfort level of the government, which is believed to be the reason for imposition of the stock limit.
On June 2, the government imposed a stock limit on tur and urad on retailers, wholesalers, importers, and processors till October 2023.
Stockists and traders, importers and processors told ET that the decision was anticipated.
"The stock limit may not lead to much decline in tur prices as there is a shortage," said Suresh Agarwal, president, All India Dal Millers' Association. "When the production is less, nothing can help much to alleviate the prices."
Trade sources said that at the current levels, many stockists have started booking profits in tur dal, which has improved the arrivals in the markets. "They are booking profit in tur and investing in chana and other commodities," said a trader, who did not want to be identified.
Rupesh Rathi, a dal miller from Maharashtra, said, "Whole tur prices will remain above Rs 100/kg as there is a shortage. Imports are also not enough."
Source Name:Economic Times