Trade Talk with G. Chandrashekhar/
India's First Advance Estimate

00:49 Let’s begin with the latest seeded area figures for kharif season pulse crops. New numbers have come out since we last spoke. Could you run down the official estimates for each pulse crop and tell us how accurate you think they are?

03:31 Next let’s talk about the monsoon. I understand rainfall is 7% above normal this year, but the distribution has been uneven. Could you recap this year’s monsoon season and how it might impact pulse production?

06:05 Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture released its first advance estimate of 2022-23. Could you run down the numbers for pulses and comment on them please?

11:31 A news report last week indicated that the government is concerned about a possible rise in pulse prices and may intervene with imports to keep them in check. How do you see prices evolving and what government actions do you anticipate in the next few months?

14:39 In recent interviews, we discussed NAFED’s abundant chana stocks of 3 million MT. Now the government has approved the sale of 1.5 million MT at prices below MSP. But chana prices at mandis were already below MSP. Could you comment on the timing of this move and on how you see things playing out for chana in marketing year 2022-23?

18:08 The government also authorized the public procurement of 40% of pigeon pea, urad and lentil production. What are your thoughts on this move?

19:57 Rabi seeding will commence next month. What are your expectations for pulses and what factors do you see driving grower decisions?

23:04 The government announced it is extending the duty-free period for lentil imports through March 2023. Your thoughts.