New Delhi: Prices of essential food commodities, including rice, pulses, spices, jaggery and edible oils, witnessed mixed trends in major mandis across the country this week. Data released on Sunday showed variations in wholesale prices of staples such as rice, jowar, onion, tamarind and oilseeds, reflecting supply-demand imbalances, seasonal arrivals and storage costs.
Rice and jowar trends
In the cereal segment, fine rice prices were reported between ₹5,600 and ₹7,000 per quintal, while medium rice traded at ₹4,200–₹5,600. Meanwhile, jowar was quoted in the range of ₹2,800–₹4,800 per quintal. Analysts said that the increase in fine rice prices was supported by strong demand in urban centres, while jowar’s affordability kept it steady in rural belts.
Pulses and dals movement
Pulses showed sharp price variations, with tur dal at ₹8,800–₹11,500 and green gram dal at ₹9,100–₹11,000. Black gram dal was quoted higher at ₹9,500–₹13,800, while bengal gram dal ranged between ₹7,500 and ₹9,200. Mustard seed was traded between ₹5,800 and ₹9,000, while horsegram stayed steady at ₹4,000–₹5,400.
Traders said erratic monsoon rainfall has impacted pulse arrivals in several states, leading to higher volatility in wholesale rates.
Spices and condiments
Among spices, coriander seed fetched between ₹7,000 and ₹14,000 per quintal. Chilli (fine quality) recorded one of the highest ranges at ₹16,000–₹22,000. Turmeric traded strongly at ₹14,000–₹16,000, while tamarind commanded ₹12,000–₹18,000 per quintal.
In vegetables, onion prices varied by size, with big onions at ₹1,200–₹1,600, medium at ₹800–₹1,200, and small onions at ₹200–₹800. Garlic showed wide variations, ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹10,000.
Jaggery and sugar rates
Sweetener markets also reflected steady demand. Jaggery cube was priced at ₹4,000–₹5,200, while jaggery ball fetched slightly higher at ₹5,200–₹5,400. Sugar was stable, quoted at ₹4,300–₹4,500 per quintal.
Oilseeds and edible oils
The oilseed segment saw groundnut seed trading at ₹10,800–₹12,800, while copra maintained higher rates at ₹28,000–₹30,000. Gingelly seed (sesame) was stable at ₹13,500–₹14,500.
In edible oils, groundnut oil (10 kg) was quoted between ₹1,380 and ₹1,920, while coconut oil (10 kg) ranged from ₹3,800 to ₹4,600. Gingelly oil was reported at ₹2,260–₹5,040, reflecting quality differences. Ghee (5 kg packs) was priced at ₹3,040–₹3,500.
Expert outlook
Market analysts said prices are likely to remain volatile in the coming weeks owing to uneven rainfall and disruptions in supply chains. Rising demand during the upcoming festive season is also expected to keep rates firm, particularly for rice, pulses and spices.
Overall, while some commodities like onions and garlic displayed wider fluctuations due to local supply conditions, others like sugar and wheat remained largely stable. Farmers and traders will continue to monitor weather patterns and government procurement activities, which play a crucial role in price stability.