Buyer's Guide to Bulk Masoor Dal: Grades, Specifications and Packing
By ODOD Sourcing Team · published 2026-10-01 · reviewed for accuracy before publication
Bulk masoor dal buyers need to specify the type (whole, malka, or chilka), numeric limits for moisture, foreign matter, broken grain and splitting ratio, and the packing format, since grade names alone are not standardized across suppliers. Packing ranges from 25 kg bags to 1,000 kg jumbo bags, and MOQs run from 500 kg to a full container depending on format.
- Masoor dal comes in three forms: whole, split with husk removed (malka), and split with husk retained (chilka), each suited to different end uses
- Moisture specs typically run 10% to 13% max and foreign matter 0.5% to 1% max, but exact limits should be written into the contract, not assumed
- Standard bulk packing is 25 kg or 50 kg PP bags with an inner liner; FIBC jumbo bags of 500 kg to 1,000 kg suit automated repacking lines
- A 20-foot container typically holds 24 to 27 MT of bagged dal; a 40-foot container roughly double that
- Required shipping documents include commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary and fumigation certificates
- MOQ ranges from 500 kg for trial orders up to a full container, and incoterms available include FOB, CIF, CFR and DDP
What is masoor dal and how is it classified?
Masoor dal is the split, dehusked form of lentil (Lens culinaris), sold in bulk as whole red lentil (masoor whole, brown-skinned), split with husk removed (malka masoor, salmon-pink), and split with husk retained (masoor chilka, which shows a thin dark rim around the pink cotyledon). Buyers sourcing for retail repacking, dal mixes or food manufacturing need to specify which of the three they want, because each has a different cook time, color, and price band, and suppliers sometimes substitute one for another if the purchase order only says "masoor dal."
Why the distinction matters for formulation
Malka masoor cooks faster and breaks down into a smoother puree, which is why it is preferred for instant soup mixes and baby food bases. Masoor chilka holds its shape better and is used in dal mixes sold as whole-looking dishes. Whole masoor is mostly bought by distributors supplying retail bags rather than manufacturers, since it needs longer soaking and cooking.
How is bulk masoor dal graded for export?
Grading is based on four measurable factors: moisture content, foreign matter, broken/damaged grain percentage, and uniformity of size and color, and every bulk contract should state numeric limits for each. There is no single global grading authority for dal the way there is for some teas or spices, so grade names like "Grade 1" or "FAQ" (fair average quality) only mean what the specification sheet attached to the purchase order says they mean. An experienced buyer treats the grade name as a label and the spec sheet as the contract.
| Parameter | Typical specification range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | 10% to 13% max | Lower end preferred for long sea transit and humid destinations |
| Foreign matter (FM) | 0.5% to 1% max | Includes stones, dust, other seeds |
| Broken grains | 2% to 5% max | Higher in mechanically split malka lots |
| Admixture (other pulses) | 1% max | Checked visually and by sieve |
| Weevilled / damaged grains | 1% max | Fumigation certificate should accompany the shipment |
| Splitting ratio (for split dal) | 95% split minimum | Remainder counted as whole grain admixture |
| Color uniformity | Lot-matched, no visible two-tone mixing | Relevant mainly for malka masoor |
Figures vary by crop season and the market the dal is sold into; a lot meeting 12% moisture may be acceptable for a buyer in Canada but too high for a tropical destination with long inland transit after discharge. State the number you need rather than relying on the word "standard."
What should a bulk purchase specification include?
A complete specification names the dal type, grade limits from the table above, packing format, and the documents required, not just a price per metric ton. Buyers who issue a one-line purchase order ("masoor dal, 20 MT, FOB") leave room for disputes at destination inspection. The specification sheet should also state crop year, since dal older than 12 to 18 months can show higher breakage and dullness even if it technically passes moisture limits.
Buyers comparing masoor dal against other pulses for a mixed-dal product line often specify alongside it the Chana Dal or Kabuli Chana / Garbanzo Beans they are also importing, since combined container loading reduces freight cost per unit.
How is bulk masoor dal packed for export?
Standard export packing is 25 kg or 50 kg woven polypropylene (PP) bags with an inner food-grade liner, though buyers running automated repacking lines often request 500 kg or 1,000 kg jumbo bags (FIBC, flexible intermediate bulk containers) to reduce manual handling. Retail-ready buyers sometimes ask for pre-printed 1 kg or 2 kg consumer bags packed into export cartons, which is arranged as a private-label run rather than standard bulk packing.
Why the liner matters more than the outer bag
Pulses are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb ambient moisture through any gap in packing. A woven PP bag alone is not a moisture barrier; the inner polyethylene liner is what protects the dal during a 20 to 45 day sea transit, especially through humid ports. Buyers shipping to high-humidity destinations should confirm liner gauge and bag stitching method (sewn versus heat-sealed) in writing rather than assuming it is included by default.
What container load and MOQ should a buyer expect?
Minimum order quantities for bulk masoor dal typically run from 500 kg for trial or sample-scale orders up to a full container load, and this varies by packing format and destination. A 20-foot container commonly holds 24 to 27 MT of bagged dal depending on bag size and palletisation, while a 40-foot container holds roughly double that in loose-loaded bags. Palletised loading reduces the tonnage per container slightly but speeds up unloading and reduces bag damage, a trade-off worth discussing before confirming the shipping plan.
What documents should accompany a masoor dal shipment?
A compliant shipment arrives with a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, and fumigation certificate as a minimum, with additional certificates provided depending on the destination market's import rules. ODOD LLC supplies certificates for US FDA registration, ISO, Halal, HACCP and GMP alongside each quotation, along with origin and loading details specific to that order, since these are confirmed per shipment rather than published generically.
A note on incoterms
Masoor dal is quoted on FOB, CIF, CFR or DDP terms depending on whether the buyer prefers to arrange their own freight forwarder or take a landed price. Buyers new to pulse importing often start with CIF or CFR to simplify the logistics chain, then move to FOB once they have an established freight relationship and want more control over routing and container consolidation.
How does masoor dal compare with other split pulses for sourcing planning?
Masoor dal has a shorter typical shelf life than harder pulses such as Horse Gram / Ulavalu / Kulthi Dal, which affects how far ahead a buyer should place orders relative to their inventory turnover. Split lentils with the husk removed are more exposed to oxidation and insect risk than whole or husked pulses, so buyers running low-turnover warehouses sometimes specify masoor chilka over malka masoor specifically to extend shelf stability, accepting the longer cook time as a trade-off.
To request current specifications, packing options and a quotation for your destination and order volume, request a quotation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between masoor dal and malka masoor?
- Masoor dal is a general term for split red lentil; malka masoor specifically refers to the split form with the husk fully removed, giving a smooth pink cotyledon. Masoor chilka keeps a thin dark husk rim and cooks slightly slower while holding shape better.
- What moisture level should I specify for bulk masoor dal?
- A typical range is 10% to 13% maximum, with the lower end preferred for long sea transit or humid destinations. The exact figure should be written into your purchase specification rather than left to a general grade name.
- What packing format is best for a food manufacturing line?
- Manufacturers running automated intake lines often request 500 kg to 1,000 kg FIBC jumbo bags to reduce manual handling, while distributors repacking for retail typically order 25 kg or 50 kg bags with an inner liner.
- How much masoor dal fits in a shipping container?
- A 20-foot container typically holds around 24 to 27 MT of bagged dal depending on bag size and whether it is palletised or loose loaded; a 40-foot container holds roughly double that volume.
- What documents will I receive with a bulk masoor dal shipment?
- Each shipment is supplied with a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate and fumigation certificate, along with quality and food safety certificates matched to your destination market's requirements.
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