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Informist, Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

By J. Navya Sruthi

MUMBAI – Wheat prices rose for the fifth consecutive day in key spot markets in the country Tuesday due to the delay by the government in announcing open market sales, traders said. Decreasing arrivals and firm demand ahead of festivals also supported the prices, they said. Maize and rice prices were steady due to a lack of fresh cues. 

WHEAT prices at Kota in Rajasthan rose by INR 15 to INR 2,615 per 100 kilograms due to firm demand and low arrivals, said Aniket Mehta, a local trader. Arrivals fell by 5,000 bags from the previous day to 3,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg) due to heavy rainfall over the region, he said.

The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for heavy rainfall over east Rajasthan till Wednesday. A red alert indicates rainfall exceeding 204.5 millimetres in 24 hours and is the highest level of weather warning.

Wheat prices at Indore in Madhya Pradesh rose INR 20 to INR 2,870 per 100 kg, local trader Gaurav Kochar said. He said wheat prices can increase by INR 100-INR 200 until the government announces open market sales. In Delhi, wheat prices rose INR 15 to INR 2,850 per 100 kg, according to traders. Prices of the staple grain in Vashi in Navi Mumbai were steady at INR 2,800-INR 2,825 per 100 kg, Devendra Vora, a wholesale dealer, said.  

On Thursday, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said the government sees no immediate requirement to start open market sales of wheat in the rabi marketing year 2025-26 (Apr-Mar) as prices are largely stable and there is adequate supply of the food grain in the market.

Market participants expect the government to start wheat sales only at the end of August. The government typically begins wheat sales in the open market in July or August. The government has set a reserve price of INR 2,550 per 100 kg for open market sales of wheat in 2025-26.

MAIZE prices in Indore were steady at INR 2,330 per 100 kg, Kochar said. Although maize prices rose on Monday, the upside is limited by the ample availability of rice to meet the demand from the ethanol sector.

Kochar said about 30-40% of the maize crop in the Gwalior region of Madhya Pradesh had been damaged by excess rainfall. In addition to maize, soybean and urad crops have also been damaged due to the excessive rains in the region, he said. "Additionally, the crop area has reduced as waterlogging in many fields has prevented sowing."

According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, maize acreage in India was at 8.6 million hectares as of Friday, up nearly 9% on year. Kochar said maize output in the kharif season is likely to be at par with last year's production. There will be more clarity on the crop after a month, he said.

Prices of 1401 basmati RICE at Vashi were steady at INR 7,300-INR 7,400 per 100 kg, Vora said. Prices of the 1121 basmati rice variety also remained steady at INR 7,800-INR 8,000 per 100 kg. Prices of sona masoori rice were also steady at INR 4,600 per 100 kg at Bhavanipuram in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada, local trader Ravi Shankar said.  End

Edited by Saji George Titus

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