Pricey Protein

This time last year, dal was an everyday staple for most families and chicken a distant dream. At Rs. 35 per kg for toor dal, and close to double that for poultry many cost-conscious diners chose the vegetarian option.

Illustration: Vidayanand Kamat

But now, at Rs. 73 per kg or more for toor dal, dal chawal is now almost as expensive a meal as butter chicken! The impact on the pulses has been real — analysts say there’s been a 6 to 8 percent drop in demand. So does that mean people are now feasting on chicken? When dal prices were at peak, chicken demand did go up by around 5 percent. But wait, the Broiler Coordination Committee say that increase means they may raise prices once again. And then that butter chicken will be a fantasy again. However, with harvest season near, toor dal prices could go down again.

Illustration: Vidayanand Kamat