India pigeon pea imports from top supplier Mozambique are delayed, lifting prices

At least 150,000 metric tons of pigeon peas bound for India are held up at ports in Mozambique awaiting export permission from customs despite multiple requests from sellers over the past few weeks, five industry officials said on Wednesday. The delay in shipments has pushed up prices of the protein-rich staple, known in India as arhar or tur, used to make daal curry in the peak-consumption festive season. “Stocks are currently held in port-based warehouses and sellers are incurring huge storage and re-fumigation costs,” said Suhas Chougule, managing director at MozGrain Lda, a local subsidiary of Ma’aden Saudi Arabia, based at Beira, Mozambique. “Despite having all the necessary export documents per law, our 200 containers are stuck. The customs office in Mozambique is not granting permission nor are they giving any reason.” The delay has lifted wholesale prices in India by nearly 10% in two months as stocks diminish during the lean supply season, adding to food inflation ahead ...