The Tamil Nadu government has imposed stock limits on tur (pigeon pea) and urad (black gram) for a period of three months, effective November 13, 2026, in a move aimed at maintaining supplies, ensuring equitable distribution and making the pulses available to consumers at fair prices.
The state government notified the Tamil Nadu Tur and Urad Pulses (Storage Control) Order, 2026, through an extraordinary notification published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on November 13. The order has been issued by the Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, with the prior concurrence of the Central Government.
Under the new restrictions, wholesalers can hold a maximum stock of 200 metric tonnes (MT) of each variety of pulse, while retailers are permitted to stock up to 5 MT of each variety.
For big-chain retail outlets, the limit has been fixed at 5 MT of each pulse at every retail outlet, with an additional limit of 200 MT at each depot.
Millers can hold stocks equivalent to their last three months' production or 25% of their annual installed production capacity, whichever is higher.
Importers, meanwhile, cannot hold imported stocks beyond 45 days from the date of customs clearance. This provision is intended to ensure that imported pulses enter the domestic market within the stipulated period rather than being held for extended periods.
Wholesale Prices Surge Up to 53%
The stock-control measures come amid a substantial year-on-year increase in wholesale prices of pulses.
According to the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) market update dated November 14, 2026, tur and urad prices have registered sharp increases across major trading centres. On November 13, Chennai's tur (Lemon) prices stood at Rs. 9,800 per quintal, up 51.35% from Rs. 6,475 a year earlier, while desi tur prices in Akola rose 52.67% to Rs. 10,725 per quintal from Rs. 7,025. Similarly, Chennai's urad SQ prices increased 34.48% to Rs. 9,750 per quintal from Rs. 7,250, while urad FAQ prices climbed 36.57% to Rs. 9,150 per quintal from Rs. 6,700.
These significant price increases underline the pressure on the domestic pulses market and the government's concerns over supply availability and consumer affordability.
Source: IPGA
Pulse production is likely to be affected by a weak monsoon during the kharif season and unseasonal rainfall in several regions. Meanwhile, the area under pulses during the rabi season had reached only 4.7 million hectares as of November 13, compared with around 5.5 million hectares during the corresponding period last year. In addition, the potential impact of El Niño on rabi crops poses another risk. These factors have heightened concerns over pulse production and supplies.
Centre Backs Stock Limits
Earlier, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs had approved Tamil Nadu's proposal to impose stockholding limits on tur and urad. The Centre's approval followed the state's concerns over rising retail prices compared with the national average. The state had also cited weather-related crop risks, including the impact of El Niño and inadequate rainfall, as factors that could encourage excessive stockholding and contribute to price volatility.
The Centre has also been monitoring pulse supplies and using its buffer stocks to moderate prices.