Black gram, pigeon peas prices likely to remain high

The prices of black gram (urad) and pigeon peas (red grams) are expected to remain on the upward trend as they are projected for shipping next month, said exporters.
Following the policy change of India’s pulses import, the prices of black gram and pigeon peas have risen in the domestic market. The grams are in high demand at the present time, according to the traders from Mandalay commodity depot.
Strong local demand boosted the price of black gram (urad) to K1,099,000-1,234,000 per tonne on 10 June. Black gram fetched only K880,000 per tonne in April-end. Similarly, the high demand pushed up the price of pigeon peas up to K1,085,000 per tonne on 10 June.
India set an import quota on beans, including black gram and pigeon peas, starting from 2017. Myanmar has to export black bean and pigeon peas under the quota system and limit period. This quota battered the local growers.
In May, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare approved not only black gram but also other pulses being imported from Myanmar that have bill of landing up to October-end 2021, with relaxations of conditions regarding clearance consignment.
India experienced some damages to their farms due to erratic weather, resulting in a yield drop. The demand in India has risen amid the impacts of the global pandemic and the low supply. Consequently, India’s ministry gave the green light to the relaxations of conditions for imports of pulses from Myanmar.
Myanmar’s agriculture sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, and it contributes to over 30 per cent of Gross Domestic Products. The country primarily cultivates paddy, corn, cotton, sugarcane, various pulses and beans. Its second-largest production is pulses and beans, counting for 33 per cent of agro products and covering 20 per cent of growing acres. Among them, black gram, pigeon peas and green grams constitute 72 per cent of bean acreage. Other beans, including peanut, chickpea, soybean, black-eyed beans, butter bean and rice bran, are also grown in the country. – HH/GNLM