Mandi rates of pulses fall but retail prices high

Kharif arrivals commence and imports adequate; govt urges retailers to reduce prices

- SANDIP DAS

RETAIL PULSES PRICES continue to rule firm despite a fall in mandi prices due to the arrival of kharif harvests and robust imports. According to the department of consumer affairs, modal retail prices of key pulses - tur, urad and chana - have been ruling at ₹160/kg, ₹120/kg and ₹90/kg on Monday. The prices have remained unchanged for the past three months.

The consumer affairs department has urged retailers to reduce prices of pulses in line with the decline in wholesale rates. Officials said the wholesale prices of tur, masur, chana, moong, yellow peas, urad, etc. have declined by 5-20% in the past two months.

With the arrival of the kharif harvest and robust imports due to the abolition of duties improving supplies, the retail prices are likely to soften in the next couple of months after staying elevated since 2023, trade sources have said.