Black gram prices fall after India extends stock holding limits for pulses

As India extended the period of stock limits for pulses until 3 December from end-October, the price of black gram (urad in India) has dropped accordingly amid huge stocks in Yangon’s pulses market.
Stock limits are 200 tonnes for wholesalers and five tonnes for retailers. Pulses cultivation dropped by four per cent during the monsoon pulses season in 2023 compared to that of 2022, citing the last notification issued by India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The ministry’s report indicated that there were 12.357 million hectares of monsoon pulses in 2023, which declined from 12.889 million hectares, showing a drop of four per cent.
The pigeon pea (tur) prices remain unchanged at K4.075 million per tonne from 29 September to 3 October 2023 owing to the low stocks. Black gram prices continued downward trends from K2.52 million per tonne on 30 September to K2.465 million per tonne on 3 October.
The black gram hit the highest of K2.634 million per tonne on 22 September, whereas the pigeon pea price peaked at K4.15 million per tonne on 8 September.
During the monsoon season, India allegedly reported a decrease of 14 per cent for black gram, 7.6 per cent for green gram and 5.9 per cent for pigeon pea. The statements of high crop-producing countries weigh on the market. Indian traders are closely observing Myanmar’s pulse cultivation conditions along with India’s output. — TWA/EM