Urad or Black Gram is a widely cultivated in tropical region of Asia. Also known as Black Matpe, Urad is known for its nutritional values and fermenting qualities. An indispensable entity in South Indian cuisine such as dosa, idli and vada, urad is also used in many other dishes in India as well as other countries.
Global Situation
Urad is produced mainly in Asian countries. India is the largest producer and consumer followed by Myanmar and Thailand. Grown mostly as an inter-crop with maize, jowar and other cereals, urad is sown during February, June-July and October according to the area of cultivation.
Indian Situation
India produces around 1.3-1.5 million tons of urad every year accounting for nearly 10 percent of the country’s total pulse crop output of 12-15 million ton. Main production centres of urad are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. India also imports an average 100,000-200,000 tons of urad every year. Main source of import is Myanmar. Major domestic markets of urad are Mumbai, Jalgaon, Latur and Akola in Maharashtra and Indore, Bhopal and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. Chennai, Gulbarga, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kanpur, also are other major trading centres of urad.
Market Situation
As in the case of other major pulse crop, climatic conditions play a crucial role in shaping the fortune of urad in the market. Import, carry over stocks and prices of other pulse crop also are important variables in shaping urad prices.
India\'s Forex reserves fell to $311.79 billion, down by $691 million for the week ended June 27 as against $ 312.481 billion in the last week, RBI said in its weekly report.
Forex dealers said the rupee drew support from a firm trend in local equity market but was still under pressure due to fresh surge in crude oil prices.
Indian rupee opened trading in a positive note Friday as investors covered their short positions but with oil holding above $145 a barrel and shaky stock markets raising prospects for more capital outflows, gains may be limited.
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