Tur (Arhar) dal prices have moved higher in both retail and wholesale markets, with traders closely watching the impact of uneven monsoon rainfall on the upcoming crop. As per data available with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, the all-India average retail price of tur/arhar dal reached Rs 124.04 per kg on September 9, 2026, up 1.7% from Rs 121.96 a month earlier and 6.7% from Rs 116.23 a year ago.
The wholesale market has also strengthened. The average wholesale price stood at Rs 11,471.39 per quintal on September 9, compared with Rs 11,248.27 a month earlier and Rs 10,645.36 a year ago. This represents a 2% monthly increase and a 7.75% annual rise.
The price movement comes even as tur sowing has marginally improved. According to data available on UPAJ portal, area under tur as of September 4 stood at 45.66 lakh hectares, compared with 44.93 lakh hectares in 2025-26, an increase of 1.61%. The Third Advance Estimates put 2025-26 tur production at 35.92 lakh tonnes, broadly unchanged from 36.24 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
However, the market is focusing on crop conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the two largest tur-producing states. As per Economic Survey of 2025-26, Maharashtra accounts for 39.44% of India’s tur production and Karnataka for 27.78%. September rainfall has been particularly deficient, with Maharashtra receiving 68% below-normal rainfall and Karnataka 77% below normal. Seasonal deficits stand at 16% and 27%, respectively, IMD data shows.
Although the data of the Department of Consumer Affairs shows an increase of approximately Rs 225 per quintal in a month, the actual impact for consumers seems bigger - an increase of Rs 600-800 per 100 kg over the past month. In several markets, retail price is above Rs 180 per kg.
India imported about 14.8 lakh tonnes of tur in 2025-26 against estimated annual consumption of 45-47 lakh tonnes. Preliminary market estimates put the coming domestic crop at 34-36 lakh tonnes, potentially leaving imports of around 13 lakh tonnes necessary to meet demand.
The weaker rupee is another factor. The dollar has risen from around Rs 88 in September 2025 to about Rs 95, raising the landed cost of imported tur. Duty free whole tur imports therefore do not eliminate the impact of currency movements, freight, financing and port costs.