Public sector agencies contract to import 4.37 tonne pulses

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) Farm commodity prices have generally remained steady or have shown mixed trend in different centers across the country in the week ending May 4, 2007.

The monitoring was done by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

As on May 8, public sector agencies have contracted to import 4.37 lakh tonne of pulses. This comprises contract for 2.58 lakh tonne yellow peas, 1.32 lakh tonne urad, 15,000 tonne moong, 30000 tonne tur and 2,000 tonne dunpeas, according to official release here today.

Wheat prices remained steady at 13 reporting centres and declined at four centres. Wheat prices have shown increase only in Delhi.

Government has notified extension of duty free import of wheat till December 31 this year.

Sugar prices remained steady across majority of the centres and declined at a number of centres.

DGFT has lifted ban on exports of sugar through notification on January 23, 2007.

Gram prices remained steady over the week across most of the centers and declined at Delhi, Jaipur and Shillong. Tur dal prices were also steady across most of the centers.

In Delhi, over the week ending May 4, prices of rice, tur and mustard oil remained steady and prices of tea, sugar, gram and onion declined. Prices of wheat, vanaspati, potato and groundnut oil, however, shown an increase over the week.

Price of mustard oil and milk have remained steady for one month; that of atta for six months and that of packed salt for two years, the release added.

UNI