Hi
Due to low production of Dal, which is a major food part of Indian cuisine, Govt. of India banned Dal exports from June 2006. After this dal prices started picking up at in USA or UK or elsewhere.
Other countries also produces dal but, Indian dal has better test. So Indians staying abroad prefers to buy Indian dal. However other dal is available in groceries in US. But due to low supply dal prices is rising in US. In California now 1pound cost is around US$2.
To read more news of Indians living abroad please check out Expatriate weekly at http://www.expatriateweekly.com
Jay