The Centre on Monday said that the first tranche of tur (arhar) dal imports will reach the country this week while imported onions will follow in the first week of October.
“…MMTC apprised that the first tranche of 888 tonnes and 984 tonnes will arrive at Chennai Port and JNPT, Mumbai, on September 23 and 24, respectively. The entire consignment of 5,000 tonnes would be received at the two ports by October 20,” said an official statement.
The release comes after the third meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on prices and availability of essential food items which observed that prices of pulses and onions had remained “relatively stable” over the week.
It informed that a “firm request” for the import of tur had only been received from Andhra Pradesh so far and the State will receive the first allocation of the purchases.
India purchases tur mainly from eastern African nations and Myanmar.
The Committee also reiterated the need for early finalisation of long-term pulses procurement strategy to help incentivise production.
“The MMTC had also indicated that 5,000 tonnes of urad from Myanmar will be received at the Chennai and JNPT ports. Both ports will receive around 2,500 tonnes each by October 20,” the release said.
“As regards imports of onion, about 1,000 tonnes is expected by first week of October and another 1,000 tonnes by the second and third week of October at JNPT,” it added.
It mentioned that another tender for import of 1,000 tonnes had also been floated on September 11 and the bid would be opened on September 22.
According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry data, average retail price of tur continues to remain high in New Delhi at ₹132/kg – up 61 per cent from a year ago (₹82).
Onions are selling at ₹59/kg – up almost 88 per cent from a year ago.