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Informist, Monday, May 4, 2026

 

By Shreya Shetty

 

MUMBAI – Prices of wheat and maize showed mixed trends, while rice prices were steady in key spot markets across the country Monday, traders said. Wheat prices fell in most markets due to weak sentiment amid a rise in low-quality arrivals, they said. In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, maize prices rose due to higher demand from the ethanol sector, they said.

 

WHEAT prices in Kota, Rajasthan, fell by INR 25-INR 75 per 100 kilograms to INR 2,375-INR 2,425 per 100 kg, said Ravi Mehta, a local trader. Arrivals doubled to 100,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), he said. The market is currently receiving more low-quality arrivals, which is weighing on sentiment, he said. "Most of the better-quality wheat is being sold to the FCI (Food Corp. of India)," he said. "It is not like the market is getting only low-quality wheat. There are arrivals of all varieties, but most of them are low quality," he said.

 

Rajasthan is among the states most affected by the unfavourable weather in the second half of March and the first week of April. Continuous rainfall and hailstorms have caused widespread damage and crop loss. As of Apr. 26, the government has purchased 721,949 tonnes of wheat, down 26.3% on year, data from the FCI showed. The amount of wheat procured in the state under relaxed specifications is much higher than that of fair-average-quality wheat, according to IGrain India, an agri-commodity research centre.

 

Prices of wheat in Indore fell by INR 10 per 100 kg to INR 2,600 per 100 kg, said Gaurav Kochar, a local trader. "A change in prices by INR 10 per 100 kg hardly means anything. The market is the same as Friday," he said. Demand for wheat is on par with the supply, keeping the market largely stable, he said.

 

Prices of wheat in Vashi in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, were steady at INR 2,700 per 100 kg, said Devendra Vora, a wholesale trader. Prices were unchanged amid tepid market activity as most market participants are away due to the hot weather and the ongoing wedding season, he said. The government's ongoing procurement is keeping prices steady amid "slow business" in the market, he said. 

 

MAIZE prices in Indore rose by INR 100 per 100 kg from Friday to INR 2,100 per 100 kg, Kochar said. Prices have risen due to increased demand amid a push to raise ethanol blending, he said. Maize, along with sugarcane and rice, is used to produce ethanol. Prices are expected to rise further as demand from the ethanol sector is likely to increase further, he said.

 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification last week proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to include higher ethanol blends, such as E85 and E100, as well as biodiesel and hydrogen-blended gas. The draft amendments aim to formally recognise these fuels within the regulatory framework to facilitate their adoption. While E85 is 85% ethanol blended with petrol, E100 is pure ethanol used in flex-fuel vehicles. 

 

Prices of maize in Davanagere, Karnataka, were steady at INR 1,750-INR 1,900 per 100 kg, said Shiva Kumar, a local trader. Arrivals were also steady at 2,000 bags (1 bag = 50 kg), he said. 

 

Prices of RICE varieties were steady in Vashi, Vora said. Prices of 1401 basmati rice and 1121 basmati rice were unchanged at INR 9,700-INR 9,800 per 100 kg and INR 10,000-INR 10,200 per 100 kg, respectively. Prices were unchanged amid tepid market activity, he said. "All market activity is down, and it is likely to be so for the rest of May," he said.  End

 

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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