New Delhi. Despite heavy arrivals of Kharif groundnuts in the major markets of the key producing states, prices of this important oilseed registered a significant increase during the week of December 20-26 due to strong buying by millers, processors, traders/stockists, exporters, and government agencies.

Daily arrivals of groundnuts reached 80,000 bags in Gondal and 30,000 bags in Rajkot (Gujarat), and 10,000 bags each in Jhansi and Mahoba and 6,000 bags in Mauranipur (Uttar Pradesh).

During the week under review, groundnut prices increased by Rs. 500 in Rajkot, Rs. 600 in Mahoba, Rs. 300 in Jhansi, Rs. 200 in Mauranipur, and Rs. 100 in Bikaner per quintal, while they softened by Rs. 100 in Solapur.

Prices of shelled groundnut kernels also increased by Rs. 200-300 in Bikaner and by Rs. 100-200 per quintal in Solapur and Nagpur (Maharashtra). This clearly indicates improved trading activity.

As far as groundnut oil (loose) is concerned, prices remained stable at the previous level of Rs. 1550 per 10 kg in Rajkot, Gondal, Junagadh, and Jamnagar (Gujarat) with limited trading, and there was no change in the price of 15 kg tins. However, in Ahmedabad, the price fell by Rs. 40 to Rs. 1460 per 10 kg. In Bikaner and Newai/Tonk, groundnut oil prices increased by Rs. 50 to Rs. 1490 and Rs. 1590 per 10 kg respectively.

In Kota, the price of branded groundnut oil saw a sharp increase of ₹100 per tin (15 liters), while in Jaipur and Niwai, the price of filtered groundnut oil rose by ₹25 to ₹80 per kg. The price of groundnut oil cake in Bikaner also increased by ₹2000 per ton, reaching a new high.