Mumbai. Due to weakening of selling at low prices and increased buying, lentil prices increased during the current week. There has been no pressure of lentil arrival in the producing markets, due to which the activity of stockists and millers has started increasing. Due to which further increase in prices can be seen. Official data of the government agency - Statistics Canada (Stats Can) shows that during February, lentil exports from Canada increased by a strong 70 percent compared to January and its quantity jumped from 1,28,706 tons to 2,18,994 tons. In February, India remained the largest buyer of Canadian lentils, which imported 1,10,801 tons. On the other hand, due to weak production and heavy exports in Australia, the stock of lentils has decreased to a very low level. Due to this, the pace of export has slowed down. The Indian government has imposed an import duty of 11 percent on lentils, but it is not likely to have much impact. Due to increased selling by importers and sluggish buying, imported lentil prices declined by Rs 50 per quintal this week and at the end of the weekend the prices became Mundra Rs 6050, Hazira Rs 6100, container Canada Rs 6250/6300 and Australia Rs 6300/6350 per quintal. Similarly, Kolkata lentil prices also declined by Rs 50 per quintal this week and at the end of the weekend the prices remained at Canada Rs 6075/6100 and Australia Rs 6125/6150 per quintal.

Due to increased buying by dal millers and stockists, Delhi lentil prices witnessed a rise of Rs. 50/75 per quintal this week and with this rise, the weekend prices of small Kota became Rs. 6400, Bundi Rs. 6650, Uttar Pradesh Rs. 6750 and Desi Badi Rs. 6600 per quintal.

Due to continued buying by stockists and dal millers, this week also Madhya Pradesh lentil prices witnessed a rise of Rs. 50/100 per quintal and with this rise, the weekend prices of Ashoknagar became Rs. 6000/6100, Bina Rs. 5800/6150, Sagar Rs. 5700/6100, Damoh Rs. 5800/6350, Indore Rs. 6150/6200, Kareli Rs. 5470/6395 and Katni Rs. 6550/6575 per quintal.

Due to increased buying, during the current week, Uttar Pradesh lentil prices witnessed a rise of Rs 50/100 per quintal and at the weekend, Bareilly Chhoti Rs 6900/6950, Moti Rs 6500/6550, Kanpur Rs 6500, Lalitpur Moti Rs 6000/6050, Chhoti Rs 6200/6300 and Orai Rs 5600/6000 per quintal.

Due to sluggish demand, Bihar lentil prices witnessed a fall of Rs 50 per quintal this week and at the weekend, the prices remained at Barh Rs 6400, Khusrupur Rs 6300 and Mokama Rs 6400 per quintal. While, Raipur lentil prices also improved by Rs 25 per quintal this week and reached Rs 6400 per quintal at the weekend.

Due to weak demand, Masoor Dal prices witnessed a decline of Rs. 50 per quintal during the current week and the prices remained at Rs. 7500/7750 for Indore, Rs. 7400/7700 for Barh and Rs. 7300/7600 per quintal for Khusrupur at the weekend.