Following the government’s ban on onion exports and the permission for free import of yellow peas, there has been a slight decline in the retail prices of these essential commodities. Onion prices have fallen by almost 7% in the past week.
To regulate pulse prices, the government has initiated the sale of moong dal at subsidized rates through the retail outlets operated by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (Nafed).
Nafed is offering moong dal at INR 107 per kg, reflecting a reduction of INR 15 from its procurement cost, available through its outlets. Additionally, subsidized moong dal will soon be accessible through mobile vans operated by the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) and Kendriya Bhandars. In the broader market, the average retail price of moong dal stands at INR 116 per kg.
“We expect there will be a significant fall in prices of all major pulses in the next couple of weeks because of free import of yellow peas. We are also confident of onion prices falling further with the arrival of more kharif (summer) crops, which have been harvested,” said an official.
According to government data, the average cost of onions has decreased to INR 56/kg, down from INR 60/kg one week earlier. As for pulses, there has been an average reduction of approximately INR 1 per kilogram. Officials have indicated that increased moong sales by Nafed and NCCF are expected to have a mitigating impact on prices.
Presently, Nafed holds approximately five lakh tonnes of moong dal stock, surpassing the one lakh tonne buffer. This ample “good stock” will enable government cooperatives to persist in offering moong and chana dals in wholesale and retail markets at subsidized rates.