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Informist, Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026

By Pallavi Singhal

NEW DELHI – Wheat prices rose in Kota, Rajasthan, on Thursday amid firm demand for better-quality arrivals, while prices were steady in key markets such as Indore and Vashi. Rice and maize prices were largely steady amid lack of strong fresh cues, traders said.

WHEAT prices in Kota, Rajasthan, were up by INR 30 per 100 kg from Wednesday at INR 2,335–INR 2,410 per 100 kg, said Ravi Mehta, a local trader. Arrivals of the old crop were around 3,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), while arrivals of the new crop were around 15,000 bags, Mehta said. Prices of the new crop were INR 2,225–INR 2,250 per 100 kg, lower than old-crop prices due to quality concerns, he said.

Old crop arrivals are tapering off, while arrivals of the new crop are gradually increasing. However, much of the fresh arrivals still contain higher moisture levels, which has weighed on prices of the new crop.

The government has begun procuring wheat for the 2026-27 (Apr–Mar) marketing season in Rajasthan. The state has announced a bonus of INR 150 per 100 kg over and above the minimum support price of INR 2,585 per 100 kg. Procurement operations are expected to begin in several other states, including Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, in the coming weeks.

The price of wheat in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was steady at INR 2,480 per 100 kg, said Gaurav Kochar, a local trader. In Vashi, Navi Mumbai, wheat prices were also steady at INR 2,700 per 100 kg, said wholesale trader Devendra Vora.

Going ahead, rising arrivals of the new crop and comfortable carry-forward stocks with bulk consumers are likely to keep wheat prices under pressure. India's wheat production is estimated at a record 120.2 million tonnes in 2025-26 (Jul–Jun), according to the agriculture ministry's second advance estimates, compared with 117.9 million tonnes last year.

MAIZE prices in Indore were steady at INR 1,800 per 100 kg, Kochar said. Market participants expect prices to ease once fresh arrivals of the new crop gather pace.

India's kharif and rabi maize production are estimated at 30.25 million tonnes and 15.9 million tonnes, respectively. Last year, the total maize output was 43.4 million tonnes.

RICE prices were largely steady in key wholesale markets, traders said. Rice in Kota was quoted at around INR 7,600 per 100 kg, Ravi Mehta said. In the Vashi wholesale market, 1401 basmati rice was quoted at INR 8,500–INR 8,700 per 100 kg, 1121 basmati rice at INR 9,400–INR 9,500 per 100 kg, and 1509 basmati rice around INR 8,500 per 100 kg, said Devendra Vora.

In addition, 5% broken parmal rice was around INR 3,200 per 100 kg, 25% broken rice was around INR 3,000 per 100 kg, Vora said.

Abundant carry-forward stocks and expectations of higher supplies with the commencement of rabi paddy arrivals are likely to keep rice prices under pressure in the near term. Moreover, exports to West Asia remain uncertain amid the ongoing regional conflict.  End

With inputs from Afra Abubacker

Edited by Avishek Dutta

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