New Delhi: Gram prices trended upwards this week, driven by subdued selling pressure and sustained buying interest. The market received support from the fact that NAFED and NCCF did not accept tender bids for gram, thereby easing selling pressure. A significant price disparity currently persists for imported gram. Selling remains limited due to low domestic arrivals and the high cost of imports. The C&F price for Australian gram at ports is currently hovering around $670 per tonne. High import costs are affecting the competitiveness of imported gram, which in turn supports the domestic market. Market sentiment has strengthened due to increased buying by pulse millers and weak selling pressure. Millers continue to show interest despite rising prices, providing further support to the market. Looking ahead, the new Australian gram crop will be a crucial factor for the market. Production there is estimated to drop to approximately 1.2–1.4 million tonnes this year, down from about 2.4 million tonnes last year—a projected decline of 1.0–1.2 million tonnes. If these production estimates hold true, global gram supplies could face pressure, potentially having a positive impact on the domestic market. Sustained buying led to a rise of ₹100 per quintal in Delhi gram prices during the week. In Delhi, prices for 'Madhya Pradesh line' gram rose to ₹6,400–6,425 per quintal, while 'Rajasthan line' gram prices increased to ₹6,475–6,500 per quintal.

The market for imported gram saw an upward trend this week, driven by reduced selling by importers and increased buying interest. Prices for imported gram strengthened by ₹50–75 per quintal due to limited supplies and improved demand. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹6,300 per quintal for Tanzanian gram at Mumbai port, ₹6,500 for Australian gram at Nhava Sheva port, and ₹6,350–₹6,375 per quintal for imported gram at Mundra port.

Driven by subdued selling and robust buying, gram prices in Rajasthan rose by ₹75–₹100 per quintal this week. By the weekend, rates stood at ₹5,300–₹5,850 in Jodhpur, ₹6,475 in Jaipur, ₹5,800–₹6,000 in Bikaner, ₹5,800–₹6,000 in Kishangarh, and ₹5,800–₹6,000 per quintal in Kota.

Due to reduced selling by stockists and sustained demand from pulse millers, gram prices in Maharashtra increased by ₹50–₹100 per quintal during the week. By the weekend, prices were ₹5,800–₹6,600 in Solapur, ₹6,400–₹6,450 in Latur, ₹6,600 in Akola, ₹6,650 in Nagpur, and ₹6,200–₹6,400 per quintal in Ahmednagar.

Improved buying interest led to a rise of ₹100–₹150 per quintal in gram prices in Madhya Pradesh this week. By the weekend, rates reached ₹6,000–₹6,300 in Ashoknagar, ₹5,800–₹6,300 in Ganjbasoda, ₹6,000–₹6,350 in Sagar, ₹6,450–₹6,550 in Katni, and ₹6,550–₹6,650 per quintal in Indore.

Supported by a broad-based uptrend and increased buying, gram prices in Kanpur improved by ₹75 per quintal this week, reaching ₹6,550 per quintal by the weekend. Similarly, gram prices in Raipur saw an increase of ₹50 per quintal this week, with rates reaching ₹6,500–₹6,650 per quintal by the weekend.

Due to sluggish buying, prices of chana dal fell by ₹75–₹100 per quintal during the week. Consequently, weekend rates stood at ₹7,375–₹7,675 in Delhi, ₹7,700–₹7,800 in Bhatapara, ₹7,700 in Katni, ₹7,700–₹7,850 in Gulbarga, ₹7,650–₹8,000 in Jalgaon, ₹7,375 in Jaipur, and ₹7,200–₹7,300 in Kanpur per quintal.