The Indian government is exploring measures such as buffer stock releases and support price hikes to mitigate rising pulse prices caused by threatening monsoon disruptions linked to El Niño.
India’s government is weighing steps to soften any spike in pulse prices as officials monitor the risk that El Niño-linked weather disruption could curb output of kharif crops. Zee Business reported that the Centre is keeping a close watch on supplies and may use buffer stocks if prices move sharply higher, with officials considering phased releases into the market to ease pressure on consumers.
The concern comes against a less certain monsoon outlook. The India Meteorological Department has said August rainfall is likely to come in below normal, after a July that was close to average, while the broader June-to-July period was still short of the norm. Private forecaster Skymet has also projected a below-normal August for India, warning that deficits in the north-west, central and southern regions could hit rain-fed farming at a critical stage.
That matters most for kharif crops, which depend heavily on August rainfall after sowing has largely been completed by July. Weak rain can raise irrigation costs, slow crop growth and reduce yields, with vegetables usually feeling the first impact because of their short growing cycles and limited storage life. Tomatoes, beans, onions, cauliflower, cabbage and other greens are among the items most likely to turn costlier quickly when supply tightens.
Pulses are also vulnerable, particularly arhar, urad and moong, which rely on timely monsoon moisture. Rice prices tend to react more slowly because of wider irrigation coverage and government stocks, but edible oils can also face pressure if rainfall damages domestic soybean and groundnut harvests. India still meets about 60% of its edible oil requirement through imports, leaving prices exposed to shifts in global markets as well as local weather.
In response to the El Niño risk, the government is already reviewing how best to preserve supplies. According to the Financial Express and Hindustan Times, officials have discussed pausing open market sales of tur and chana from public stocks and easing disposal rules under the Price Support Scheme so that reserves can be kept intact for longer. Separately, the government recently approved higher minimum support prices for 14 kharif crops, including pulses and oilseeds, in a move aimed at supporting farmers and helping to curb inflation.
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