New Delhi. Good arrivals of Kharif groundnut are being reported in the markets of major states. Due to better demand in the last few days, prices had been showing an upward trend, but during the week of January 31-February 6, prices softened slightly due to weaker demand at higher levels.

In Gondal (Gujarat), Solapur (Maharashtra), and Mahoba (Uttar Pradesh), groundnut prices fell by Rs. 400 per quintal.  A decline of Rs. 200 was also seen in Mauranipur, but in Bikaner (Rajasthan), the price increased by Rs. 300 to Rs. 7000 per quintal. The price of groundnut kernels with shells also improved by Rs. 200 there. Mixed trends were observed in Solapur and Nagpur (Maharashtra). Nagpur witnessed a strong upward trend. Groundnut export performance is quite encouraging, and the Indonesian market has also opened up.

However, the upward trend in groundnut oil prices has been halted. Last week, in Rajkot, Gondal, Junagadh, and Jamnagar (Gujarat), the price of groundnut oil had jumped to Rs. 1800 per 10 kg, which fell by Rs. 75 to Rs. 1725 during the week under review. In Rajkot, the price of a 15 kg tin of refined oil also slipped by Rs. 60 to Rs. 2710. In other centers, a softening of Rs. 40-50 per 10 kg was recorded.

In Kota (Rajasthan), the price of branded groundnut oil increased by Rs. 50 to Rs. 2850 per tin (15 liters), while in Jaipur and Newai, the price of filtered groundnut oil softened by Rs. 40-50 per 10 kg. 

Groundnut arrivals are normal in the markets of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, and prices are fluctuating, but there is generally a perception of price firmness.