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Informist, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

 

By Shreya Shetty

 

MUMBAI – Prices of grains were steady compared to the previous day in key spot markets across the country on Wednesday, traders said. Wheat and rice prices were unchanged due to subdued market activity, while prices of maize were steady as demand for the grain was on par with its supply, they said. While the market expects a record production of wheat this year, they are monitoring the weather in February and March, which could impact the quality of the grain, they said.

 

WHEAT prices in Kota, Rajasthan, were steady at INR 2,380-INR 2,420 per 100 kg, said Ravi Mehta, a local trader. Arrivals fell 1,000 bags to 3,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), he said. Prices are unchanged amid subdued market activity, he said. The market is awaiting the arrival of the new rabi wheat crop from Rajasthan, Mehta said.

 

The recent rainfall in Rajasthan has raised some concerns about crop damage in the state, Mehta said. "We will get to know the extent of damage only once the crop arrives in the market," he said. This damage is unlikely to be worrisome as the market is still expecting a record production of wheat this year, he added. The playout of weather in February and March will be crucial, as many weather and climate institutions have forecast above-normal temperatures, which could be harmful to the crop, Mehta said.

 

Some experts point to the risk of quality deterioration due to rising temperatures, though they maintain that wheat output is likely to be higher than last year's. However, they still believe quality issues could impact the government's procurement. "Going ahead, if temperatures rise in northern states, then the size of the grain will be impacted. It will be smaller than expected, which is not good," said Rahul Chauhan, president, IGrain. "I don't expect production to go down too much, but the quality will definitely be impacted due to higher temperatures."

 

Prices of wheat in Vashi market in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, were steady at INR 2,700 per 100 kg, said Devendra Vora, a wholesale trader. Prices of wheat in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, were steady at INR 2,620 per 100 kg, said Gaurav Kochar, a local trader.

 

The price of MAIZE in Indore was steady at INR 1,715 per 100 kg, Kochar said. Prices were steady as demand and supply of the coarse grain were both low and equally matched, he said. Prices of maize at Davangere in Karnataka were steady at INR 1,700–INR 1,900 per 100 kg, said Shiva Kumar, a local trader. Arrivals in the market were unchanged at 5,000 bags (1 bag = 60 kg), he said.

 

Prices of the main varieties of RICE remained unchanged in Vashi. The 1401 and 1121 varieties of basmati rice were steady at INR 8,000-INR 8,200 per 100 kg and INR 8,400-INR 8,800 per 100 kg, respectively, due to lack of fresh cues, Vora said. Prices are expected to remain range-bound in the near term due to low market activity, he said.

 

Prices of sona masoori rice, a premium non-basmati variety, were also steady at INR 5,600-INR 5,800 per 100 kg at Bhavanipuram in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, said Ravi Shankar, a local trader. Prices are likely to remain unchanged in the near term due to seasonally low demand, he said.  End

 

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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