chana dal: Chana dal prices up 10% ahead of festive season

Prices of chana dal have surged up to 10% over the past month amid increased demand for the most consumed pulse in the country ahead of the festive season, according to industry executives. As chana dal is used in a range of sweets and savouries such as laddus, sev and farsan, prices are expected to stay firm, they said.

However, prices of tur dal have fallen about 5% in the past month, offering consumers some relief, the executives said.

According to the Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), chana prices are expected to stay firm due to steady festival season demand, reduced local supply, limited government stock and low selling interest among stockists.

Large imports of yellow peas have not helped in curbing chana demand, as expected by the government, said industry executives.

“Chana dal prices have increased despite imports of big quantities of yellow peas as the replacement of chana with yellow peas is substantially lower than expected,” said Rupesh Rathi, a processor of pulses from Akola in Maharashtra.

However, an expected increase in imports from Africa and Australia by September will prevent a sharp rise in prices, said traders. “Higher domestic prices have made chickpea imports more viable, so an increase in overseas supply is expected, which could prevent significant price hikes,” said an IPGA report.