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Informist, Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2026

By Shreya Shetty

MUMBAI – Prices of wheat fell in some key spot markets across the country as the market settled after reports of extensive damage to the standing crop raised supply concerns, traders said. Prices of maize in Davanagere rose and those of rice in the Vashi market in Navi Mumbai were steady amid low market activity, they said. Some markets were shut for the financial year-end bank settlement day, they said.

Prices of WHEAT in Kota, Rajasthan, fell by INR 50 per 100 kilograms from Tuesday to INR 2,340-INR 2,450 per 100 kg, said Ravi Mehta, a local trader. Arrivals were steady at 145,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), he said. The market was shut on Monday for Mahavir Jayanti and opened on Tuesday, he said. Prices fell after they had risen by INR 50-INR 100 per 100 kg on Tuesday due to reports of crop damage due to the ongoing wet spell in many parts of north India, he said. 

"Yesterday (Tuesday), prices rose because rainfall has given lustre damage to the standing wheat crop, but today prices have settled as the market has calmed down," Mehta said. Around 25–30% of the standing crop has been damaged, though it is still fit for processing for human consumption, he said.

Lustre damage in wheat is the loss of the grain's natural, glossy shine, often caused by unseasonal rain, high moisture, or hailstorms during maturity. This damage leads to grain shrivelling, discolouration, increased enzyme activity, and susceptibility to pests, often resulting in lower market prices and reduced flour quality. In the past few weeks, many parts of north India recorded light to moderate rainfall with hailstorms as pre-monsoon activities commenced over the country, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Wheat prices in the Vashi market in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, fell by INR 100 from the previous day to INR 2,600 per 100 kg, said Devendra Vora, a local trader. Prices fell after the market settled post the scare of extensive crop damage, he said. "Once arrivals begin in full swing from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, then only we will know the extent of the damage," he said.

Prices of MAIZE in Davangere rose by INR 50 from Friday to INR 1,700-INR 1,850 per 100 kg, said Shiva Kumar, a local trader. Arrivals doubled to 2,000 bags (1 bag = 60 kg), he said. Prices are unchanged amid low market activity, he said.

Prices of various varieties of RICE were also steady in the market, Vora said. Prices of 1401 basmati rice were at INR 8,500–INR 8,700 per 100 kg, 1121 basmati at INR 9,400–INR 9,500 per 100 kg, and 1509 basmati rice at INR 8,500 per 100 kg. Prices are unchanged amid tepid market activity, with most market participants away for the financial year-end bank settlement, Vora said.

Prices of wheat and maize in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, were unavailable as the market was closed for the financial year-end, said Gaurav Kochar, a local trader.  End

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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