Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 23: This Ugadi is set to bring extra sweetness to festive dishes as toor dal prices plummet to their lowest levels in two years. Since October last year, the prices have been on a continuous decline, reaching a historic low this week.

Traders report that in the wholesale market, the price of high-quality toor dal has fallen by 57% to 61%, depending on the brand. The price of chana dal has also seen a slight drop, bringing relief to consumers ahead of the festival season.

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Bumper harvest leads to price crash

Farmers attribute the steep price decline to favourable rainfall during the last sowing season, leading to higher crop yield. With a surplus in supply, market forces have driven prices down, prompting retail traders to extend the benefits to consumers.

Historic price drops in Yeshwanthpur APMC market

Sanjay Bhasin, owner of Suraj Dev Traders, one of the largest toor dal wholesalers in Yeshwanthpur APMC market, shared insights into the price trend: “Currently, we are selling premium-grade (Shivalinga) toor dal at Rs 101 to Rs 122 per kg, depending on the brand. Just a few months ago, the same dal was being sold at Rs 175 to Rs 200 per kg. This is the lowest price we have seen since 2023.”

He also pointed out that imported toor dal from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar is now available at rates comparable to Indian varieties, a significant shift from previous years when imported dal commanded a premium.

Key toor dal processing hubs in India

The major processing centres for toor dal across India include:

•    Karnataka: Kalaburagi, Raichur

•    Maharashtra: Latur, Ankola, Solapur

•    Gujarat: Valsad

•    Telangana & Andhra Pradesh

Thanks to better monsoons, farmers had higher yields last year, ensuring an ample supply of toor dal in the market. While wholesale traders are absorbing losses, retail traders are gradually adjusting prices.

Chana dal prices also drop, benefitting consumers

Former FKCCI president and leading chana dal trader Ramesh Chandra Lahoti also confirmed a sharp dip in chana dal prices:

“A key ingredient in festive delicacies, chana dal was priced at Rs 100-110 per kg in November-December last year. Today, in Bengaluru, we are selling it for Rs 72-85 per kg. This significant drop in prices is a true Ugadi gift for consumers.”

With falling pulse prices, households can now enjoy a more affordable and delicious Ugadi feast, making this year’s festival truly special for consumers across Karnataka.