Lentils-and-beans

India likely to import over 50,000 tonnes of
black gram from Myanmar in two months

India is expected to bring in over 50,000 tonnes of black gram (urad in India) from Myanmar in two months, according to a report cited by Agri World Mumbai. India is expected to import about 15,000-20,000 tonnes of Myanmar’s black gram in July and about 30,000-35,000 tonnes in August. Myanmar sent 15,000 tonnes of black gram to India in June as well. Myanmar has a decent stock of approximately 300,000 tonnes of black gram. If the country exports about 50,000 tonnes to other countries, 200,000-225,000 tonnes of black grams remain for exports.

Additionally, the stock of black gram is getting lower in the market and the volume of sales dropped. At present, a ship loaded with 5,000 tonnes of black gram and pigeon peas left for Chennai, India on 14 July. There is a shipment of 180 containers (4,320 tonnes) scheduled on 17 July and 380 containers (9,120 tonnes) on 23 July. India is facing crop yield drop under drought conditions and declining sowing acres this monsoon season. Their growers are increasingly cultivating cotton and soybean. The sowing acres of rice and various pulses dropped. The areas of urad fell from 1.94 lakhs hectare to 0.93 lakh hectare in 2022, according to the Agri World Mumbai.

Additionally, India’s government reportedly has 110,000 tons of green gram (Moong), 20,000 tonnes of black gram (urad), 9,000 tonnes of pigeon peas (tur) and 7,000 tonnes of red lentils (Masoor) as buffer stock. India is reportedly to import 50,000-75,000 tonnes of black gram (urad in India) and they will purchase black gram from Myanmar to keep them in reserve. India, the main buyer of Myanmar’s black grams, has high consumption of black grams. Furthermore, it re-exports them to the external market after processing the grams.

The annual consumption of black grams in India is estimated at 2.7-2.8 million tonnes. India extended relaxations of conditions regarding clearance consignment for black gram and pigeon peas until 31 March 2023. The prevailing price of black gram is K1,537,000 per tonne, whereas the price peaked at K1,700,000 per tonne on 30 June. Myanmar yearly produces approximately 400,000 tonnes of black gram and about 50,000 tonnes of pigeon peas. Myanmar is the top producer of the black gram that is primarily demanded by India, while pigeon peas, green grams and chickpeas are cultivated
in Australia and African countries beside Myanmar.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Mobile market trucks run in 11 districts on 17 July, offers palm oil price at cheaper rate

Sixteen mobile market trucks operated by 11 companies, in coordination with Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers’ Association, are back to business in 11 districts starting from 17 July in order to offer the palm oil at the subsidized rate to the consumers. The mobile market scheme will cover the remaining townships in the upcoming days. The market prices will be changed according to the reference rates on the weekly basis. Mobile market trucks offer palm oil at the cheaper rate of K4,750 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kilogrammes) this week in Yangon Region.

Under the guidance of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the Myanmar Rice Federation, the affiliated associations including Myanmar Rice Traders Association, Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers’ Association and rice exporters are offering staple food at fairer price with the mobile trucks in the respective townships in Yangon Region. The reference wholesale price of palm oil in Yangon market for a week from 11 to 17 July is set at K4,650 per viss, according to the Supervisory Committee on edible oil import and distribution under the Ministry of Commerce. The committee has been closely observing the FOB prices in Malaysia and Indonesia including transportation cost, tariff and banking service and issuing the wholesale market reference rate for edible oil on a weekly basis.

If those retailers and wholesalers are found overcharging, storing inventory intentionally and attempting unscrupulous action to manipulate the market, they will face legal action under the Special Goods Tax Law, MoC released a statement. The Ministry of Commerce is striving for the consumers not to worry over the supply of edible oil. The ministry is also trying to secure edible oil sufficiency, supervise the market to offer the reasonable price to the consumers, maintain the price stability and prevent market manipulation. The domestic consumption of edible oil is estimated at 1 million tonnes per year. The local cooking oil production is just about 400,000 tonnes. To meet the oil sufficiency in the domestic market, about 700,000 tonnes of cooking oil are yearly imported through Malaysia and Indonesia.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar