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Informist, Monday, Mar. 16, 2026

By Pallavi Singhal

NEW DELHI – Wheat prices fell in Kota, Rajasthan, Monday amid a sharp rise in arrivals of the new crop, while prices were steady in key markets such as Indore and Vashi. Rice prices were steady, while maize prices rose slightly due to firm demand from the ethanol industry, traders said.

WHEAT prices in Kota, Rajasthan were INR 2,190–INR 2,420 per 100 kg for the old crop, while the new crop was quoted at INR 2,170–INR 2,450 per 100 kg, down about INR 80 per 100 kg, said Ravi Mehta, a local trader.

Arrivals of the old crop were around 4,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), while arrivals of the new crop were sharply higher at around 100,000 bags, Mehta said. Higher arrivals of the new crop weighed on prices during the day, traders said.

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.

The price of wheat in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was at INR 2,470 per 100 kg, said Gaurav Kochar, a local trader. In Vashi, Navi Mumbai, wheat prices were 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 rose to INR 1,815 per 100 kg from INR 1,800 per 100 kg, Kochar said, adding that prices gained due to stronger demand from the ethanol industry amid global uncertainties linked to the ongoing war.

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 in Kota were steady at around INR 7,600 per 100 kg, Mehta said.

In the Vashi wholesale market, rice prices were also unchanged, wholesale trader Devendra Vora said. 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.

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.

Rice production in the kharif season is estimated at a record 123.9 million tonnes, while rabi rice output is seen at 16.7 million tonnes. Last year, the total rice output was 150.2 million tonnes.  End

Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj

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