• The price of a ton of dhal remained at US $ 450 earlier, but it had now increased to US $ 900 
• Sri Lanka imports around 180,000 tonne of dhal annually

By Kelum Bandara   

Dhal prices have shot up in the local market due to spikes in the world market spurred by a surge in demand, a spokesman said.   

A spokesman for the Essential Food Commodities Importers’ and Traders’ Association said Sri Lanka mainly imports dhal in whole lentils from Australia these days to be processed and split. He said the price of a tonne of dhal remained at US $ 450 earlier, but it had now increased to US $ 900.  Therefore, he said the wholesale and retail prices had increased in the local market.   “We import dhal in whole lentils. Afterwards, we process and split.  Dhal, graded in terms of colour sorting, is sold at a price range of Rs. 175 to 190 in the wholesale market. The global demand for dhal has surged these days ,” he said.  

The spokesman said the exchange cost triggered by the depreciation of the rupee value had also contributed to the price hike.   

Sri Lanka imports around 180,000 tonnes of dhal annually. It is a leading kitchen commodity.