India importing 37,000 tonnes of pulses from Myanmar

The State Trading Corporation of India (STC) has contracted to buy 37,000 tonnes of pulses from Myanmar and the consignments are likely to reach Indian ports next month.

''The contract for import of 30,000 tonnes of black matpe (urad) and 7,000 tonnes of pigeon peas (tur) has been finalised and these pulses would arrive here in May,'' official sources said.

STC finalised the contract on behalf of the government as both India and Myanmar have agreed to pulses trade on a government-to-government basis, the official said.

The entire quantity of tur would come in May, while urad would arrive in two tranches, the official said.

The government-to-government import is meant  to minimise the risk of price escalation as India has agreed to pay the market rate for the pulses instead of floating tender.

India imports mainly tur, urad and Rajmah from Myanmar

The STC, meanwhile, is expected to contract for import of 15,000-25,000 tonnes of white sugar with the help of international firms, reports said.

Sugar retail prices in India continue to climb despite a fall in the prices of most commodities and the government is keen to soothe prices during month-long elections that began last week.