About Urad
Urad (black gram) is the dal behind idli, dosa, vada, papad and dal makhani. India grows most of the world's urad and imports the rest, mainly from Myanmar.
Where Urad Is Grown in Tamil Nadu
The main urad districts of Tamil Nadu are Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Villupuram, Cuddalore. Tamil Nadu leads India in banana and is a top producer of coconut, turmeric, jasmine, tapioca, urad and groundnut. Its Cauvery delta grows rice, its western districts coconut and turmeric, Krishnagiri mango, and Madurai and Hosur its famous flowers.
Season in Tamil Nadu
Kharif in the north and centre; rabi in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Exact arrival dates in Tamil Nadu depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Urad Is Sold in Tamil Nadu
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers' markets) allow direct sales to consumers.
Other major markets in Tamil Nadu
- Koyambedu, ChennaiFruits, vegetables, flowersAboutExplore
- ErodeTurmericAboutExplore
- Mattuthavani, MaduraiJasmineAboutExplore
- Pollachi and KangeyamCoconut, copraAboutExplore
- TheniBananaAboutExplore
- KrishnagiriMangoAboutExplore
Government Buying in Tamil Nadu
MSP; NAFED buys under price support. In Tamil Nadu, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC)Paddy procurementAboutExplore
- Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Urad is graded by size, colour (black, shiny grain is preferred), freedom from weevils and the "fluffiness" it gives in batter. Prices depend on the Indian kharif and rabi crops, Myanmar supply and the kyat exchange rate, Indian import policy and government stock limits. Idli, dosa and papad makers buy steadily all year, which keeps demand firm.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export urad across India, including from Tamil Nadu. Tap a name for details.
- iD Fresh Food (India) Pvt LtdIdli and dosa batterAboutExplore
- MTR Foods Pvt LtdInstant mixesAboutExplore
- Olam Agri India Pvt LtdPulses sourcing and importsAboutExplore
- Mangat Ram Dal Mill Pvt LtdDelhi · dal miller and pulses supplierAboutExplore
- India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA)Mumbai · trade body of pulses importers, millers and tradersAboutExplore
- NAFEDBuys pulses at MSP and holds the pulses bufferAboutExplore
- Tata Consumer Products LtdTata Sampann unpolished dals and besanAboutExplore
- AWL Agri Business LtdFortune besan and dals (formerly Adani Wilmar)AboutExplore
- Patanjali Foods LtdPatanjali dals and besanAboutExplore
- 24 Mantra Organic (Sresta Natural Bioproducts Pvt Ltd)Organic dalsAboutExplore
- Pro Nature Organic Foods Pvt LtdOrganic dalsAboutExplore
- BigBasket (Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt Ltd)Online grocery; branded and loose dalsAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Tamil Nadu
New varieties, crop advice and seed for urad growers in Tamil Nadu come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
Urad in Other States
Madhya Pradesh · Uttar Pradesh · Maharashtra · Andhra Pradesh · Rajasthan · Jharkhand
Related: Urad – all India · Tamil Nadu · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer