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Informist, Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

 

By Shreya Shetty

 

MUMBAI – Prices of most grains were steady in key spot markets across the country, traders said. Prices of the new wheat crop were unchanged, while those of the old crop fell in some markets, they said. Maize prices were unchanged as the market awaited further cues, while basmati rice prices stabilised after a fall following the war in West Asia, they said.

 

Prices of the new WHEAT crop in Kota, Rajasthan, were steady at INR 2,250-INR 2,450 per 100 kilograms, said Ravi Mehta, a local trader. On the other hand, prices of the old wheat stocks fell by INR 30 per 100 kg to INR 2,180-INR 2,350 per 100 kg, he said. Arrivals of the old crop fell by 500 bags to 2,500 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), while arrivals of the new crop were steady at 25,000 bags, Mehta said.

 

Old wheat prices were weighed down by arrivals of the new crop, Mehta said. "When the new wheat crop arrives, demand for the older stock automatically goes down," he said. Prices of old wheat are expected to fall further as millers will prefer the new crop over older stocks, he said. "Now that the new crop is here, they will be prioritised for processing," he said.

 

Prices of wheat in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, were steady at INR 2,470 per 100 kg, said Gaurav Kochar, a local trader. Kochar. Wheat prices at Vashi in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, were also steady at INR 2,700 per 100 kg, said wholesale trader Devendra Vora. Prices of wheat are unchanged amid steady demand for the new crop arrivals, Kochar said. Prices are expected to remain within a narrow range in the near term, fluctuating by INR 100 per 100 kg, he said.

 

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, Madhya Pradesh, were steady at INR 1,850 per 100 kg, said Kochar. Prices have stabilised after a steady climb, driven by the steep rise in crude oil prices amid ongoing military hostilities in West Asia. Maize is a widely sought-after feedstock by ethanol manufacturers, and rising crude oil prices encourage higher biofuel production. With little clarity about how long the war in West Asia will last, the market is looking at other cues for prices, he said. Arrivals of the new rabi crop have begun, for which there is "limited" demand, he said.

 

Prices of maize in Davangere, Karnataka, remained steady at INR 1,650-INR 1,750 per 100 kg, said Shiva Kumar, a local trader. Arrivals were steady at 2,000 bags (1 bag = 60 kg), he said. 

 

Prices of various varieties of RICE were steady in Vashi, Vora said. The prices of 1401 basmati rice were at INR 8,500–INR 8,700 per 100 kg, 1121 basmati rice were at INR 9,400–INR 9,500 per 100 kg, and 1509 basmati rice were at INR 8,500 per 100 kg. Prices of basmati rice have settled after a steep downtrend during the initial days of the military conflict in West Asia, he said. 

 

Industry experts believe that once the situation in West Asia stabilises, these countries may return to the market for large-scale purchases, said Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice president, The Basmati Rice Millers & Exporters Association, Punjab. This could help compensate for the losses suffered by the basmati rice industry, he said.  End

 

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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