The Rising Price of Sambar!!

Sindujaa D N
The price of toor dal, a staple in indian households, has seen significant fluctuations, often resulting in price hikes that impact consumers. Several factors contribute to the rising costs of this essential pulse. 


  • Production Shortfalls: Variability in crop yields due to climatic conditions such as droughts, unseasonal rains, or floods can lead to lower production of toor dal. When production falls short of demand, prices naturally increase.
  • Rising Consumption: With an increasing population and rising dietary shifts towards plant-based proteins, the demand for toor dal has been steadily growing. If this demand outpaces supply, prices rise.
  • Monsoon Dependency: Toor dal cultivation heavily depends on the monsoon. Poor monsoon seasons can drastically reduce the yield, leading to shortages.
  • Extreme Weather Events: Floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events can destroy crops, reducing the overall supply and driving up prices.
  • Pest and Disease Outbreaks: Pests and diseases can significantly affect toor dal crops, leading to lower yields. This reduction in supply can contribute to price hikes.
  • Limited Farming Technology: In some regions, farmers lack access to advanced agricultural technology and practices that could improve yields, leading to less efficient production.
  • Export and Import Policies: government decisions on export and import tariffs can influence prices. Restrictive export policies can limit domestic supply, driving prices up, while high import duties can make imported toor dal more expensive.
  • Minimum Support Price (MSP): Government-set MSP for pulses can also impact market prices. If the MSP is set high, it can lead to increased market prices.
  • Speculation and Hoarding: Traders and middlemen sometimes hoard large quantities of toor dal, creating artificial shortages to drive up prices. Speculation about future price rises can also contribute to current price hikes.
  • Supply Chain Issues: Inefficiencies in the supply chain, such as transportation problems, inadequate storage facilities, and logistical challenges, can lead to wastage and shortages, pushing up prices.
  • Global Market Trends: Global demand and supply dynamics can affect local prices. If there is a surge in global demand or a reduction in global supply, international prices rise, which can also impact domestic prices.
  • Import Dependence: india sometimes imports toor dal to meet domestic demand. Fluctuations in the global market, such as changes in production in major exporting countries, can affect import prices and subsequently local prices.
  • General Inflation: Overall inflation in the economy can lead to increased prices of agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and labor, which in turn increases the cost of production and the market price of toor dal.
  • Currency Devaluation: A weaker indian rupee can make imports more expensive, affecting the price of toor dal if there is a reliance on imported supplies to meet demand.


The price hike in toor dal is a multidata-faceted issue influenced by climatic conditions, agricultural challenges, government policies, market dynamics, international factors, and economic conditions. Addressing these factors requires a comprehensive approach, including improving agricultural practices, ensuring efficient supply chains, and implementing effective government policies to stabilize prices and ensure the availability of this essential commodity.

Find Out More:

Related Articles: