Immediate imports of pulses would not help in containing the domestic prices and the government should delay the inbound shipments of the commodity till August, industry experts said.
By August-September, arrival of the new crops from countries including Canada, the US, Australia and Myanmar start, Indian Grains and Pulses Association Chairman Pravin Dongre said.
These are the destinations from where India mainly import pulses.
"We advocate the delay in imports till August-September as that is the time for arrival of new crops in Canada, the US, Australia and Myanmar, the destinations from where we mostly import pulses.
"Now there is little point in importing as the prices internationally are firming up due to a dearth of supply and depleting stocks. It will be equally expensive for the domestic here," Dongre told PTI.
He said delay in imports for one or two months will not cause any major price rise so there is no need to panic so much.
Last week in the Cabinet meeting, the government had decided to import lentils in large quantities to boost supply and also asked states to take action against hoarders.
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet expressed concerns over rising prices and decided to increase imports, among other measures.
According to ADMISI Commodities research analyst Sriram Iyer, the imports now might drive the prices higher in the international markets as farmers and other market participants who will be keenly watching the Indian situation could push up their prices in anticipation of the largest consumer, that is India coming to buy at the global markets.
"Even though, chana prices has fallen over the last month or so, we expect that with India entering the import market, there could be a possibility of a rally in prices," he added.
However, he added that prices rebounded from lows of the trading session to end above the important level of Rs 4,600 per quintal.
Pulse prices have risen by up to 64 per cent in the last one year as the domestic production fell by nearly two million tonnes in 2014-15, crop year due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Pulses production is estimated to have fallen to 17.38 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) from 19.25 million tonnes in the previous crop year due to deficient monsoon last year and unseasonal rains and hailstorms during March-April this year.
India imports about four million tonnes of pulses, largely through private trade, to meet domestic shortfall.
Source:- economictimes.indiatimes.com
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