Black gram price on upward trend

The prices of black gram (urad) continue upward, fetching nearly K100,000 per basket in the domestic market, according to the Ayeya Trade Convention Centre.
In early January this year, the lowest rates were K96,500-K99,000 per basket in Ayeyawady Region.
Surge in Myanmar’s black gram price is the steady demand by India. India also imports the urad from Brazil and other countries. Yet, they prefer Myanmar’s black gram because of better quality and an ample supply. India extended the free import policy of black gram (urad) and pigeon pea (tur) until March 2025.
Next, India’s pulse output dropped more than expected due to erratic weather in India, prompting them to import a large quantity from abroad. India was reportedly to bring in 400,000 tonnes of pigeon pea (tur) and one million tonnes of black gram (urad) from Myanmar in two months (January-February) 2024, citing reports by foreign agencies.
India’s growing demand and low stocks in the domestic market are contributing factors to the price rise of black grams and pigeon peas. Nonetheless, the prices are expected to decline during the harvest season (February-April). The traders forecast the black gram price is likely to stay strong at approximately K90,000 per basket.
Myanmar conveyed over 1.15 million tonnes of various pulses worth US$978 million in the past nine months of the current financial year 2023-2024, the Ministry of Commerce stated. Myanmar mainly exports black gram, green gram, and pigeon peas to foreign markets. Black grams and pigeon peas are primarily shipped to India, while green grams are exported to China and Europe.
India has growing consumption requirements for black grams and pigeon peas. According to a Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and India signed on 18 June 2021, India will import 250,000 tonnes of black grams and 100,000 tonnes of pigeon peas (tur) from Myanmar for five consecutive years from 2021-2022 financial year to 2025-2026 FY. This G-to-G pact will not affect the pulse’s annual quota set by India. Myanmar’s exporters are entitled to deliver the pulses to India under that annual quota.
Black gram, which India primarily purchases, is commonly found only in Myanmar. In contrast, pigeon peas, green grams, and chickpeas are grown in African countries and Australia, as stated by the Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association. — NN/EM