Food prices across India continue creating pressure for households. After sugar, onions and cooking oil, pulses have also become expensive.
Meanwhile, upcoming festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Utsav, Dussehra and Diwali have increased concerns. Rising food costs may affect middle-class kitchen budgets.
The latest price movement shows sharp increases in several major pulse varieties. Urad, arhar and masoor prices have climbed across wholesale markets.
Urad dal records sharp jump in markets
On Sunday, August 23, whole urad prices increased by 15.29% in wholesale markets. Consequently, the average wholesale rate reached ₹10,238 per quintal.
Additionally, some markets recorded urad prices touching ₹13,000 per quintal. This rise has also affected packaged pulse prices at stores and online platforms.
Furthermore, loose urad dal prices in local markets reached ₹120 to ₹150 per kilogram. Packaged varieties also saw higher rates.
Dinesh Flour Mills whole urad one-kilogram pack costs ₹175. Moreover, Tata Sampann organic unpolished urad 500-gram packs range between ₹116 and ₹125 online.
Arhar and masoor prices add more pressure
Similarly, arhar dal prices increased by 19.51% on August 23. Therefore, its average wholesale price reached ₹9,050 per quintal.
However, some markets recorded arhar rates touching ₹13,000 per quintal. As a result, loose arhar prices crossed ₹140 to ₹160 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, packaged arhar dal prices remain between ₹175 and ₹195. Retail markets continue feeling the impact of rising wholesale rates.
Masoor dal witnesses historic one-day increase
On August 24, 2026, masoor dal prices jumped by 35.28% in major wholesale markets. Thus, its average wholesale price reached ₹10,672 per quintal.
Besides, some markets recorded masoor prices reaching ₹12,700 per quintal. The increase will also impact local grocery stores.
Currently, loose masoor dal prices range between ₹110 and ₹130 per kilogram. Additionally, packaged masoor prices remain between ₹140 and ₹149.
Festive season faces rising food cost pressure
The continued increase in pulse prices has raised concerns before major festivals. Therefore, market watchers are focusing on future price movements.
However, current trends show that households may face higher expenses until market conditions improve.
