Mumbai. This week, the lentil market also remained bearish. There is selling pressure from importers and stockists, while lentil prices declined due to weak demand at the domestic level. The purchases of lentil millers also remain limited, as lentil dal is not getting customer support. Due to sluggish demand at the consumer level, millers are refraining from new purchases, which is affecting the consumption of lentils in the market. If there is no concrete improvement in demand in the coming days, then the pressure on lentil prices is likely to deepen. At the same time, availability in the market has increased due to continuous stock withdrawal by importers, which may bring down prices further. Pressure is being seen in prices due to the start of harvesting and preparation of the new lentil crop in Canada. In the major producing province Saskatchewan, about 3% of the area had been harvested till August 15, although physical availability is still limited. There is also a possibility of quality being affected by the recent rains. Now harvesting has also started in Alberta, which has further increased the pressure on the market. Surplus stock is likely to increase due to weak export demand. FOB farm price of thick green lentils in Saskatchewan is 32–34 cents/lb, small green lentils 26–27 cents/lb and red lentils 27–28 cents/lb. Canada is eyeing India, which is its biggest buyer. However, 10% customs duty is applicable on lentil imports in India. Lentil crop is also considered good in Australia, which is likely to increase competition in the global market. Due to increased selling by importers and weak buying, imported lentil prices fell by Rs. 50 per quintal during the current week and at the weekend the prices remained at Mundra Rs. 6000/6025, Hazira Rs. 6100/6125, container Canada Rs. 6200 and Australia Rs. 6200 per quintal. Similarly, Kolkata lentil prices also fell by Rs. 50 per quintal this week and at the weekend the prices remained at Australia Rs. 6425 per quintal.

Due to increased selling pressure and slow buying, Delhi small lentil prices fell by Rs. 200 and Desi Badi by Rs. 100 per quintal and with this fall the prices remained at Chhoti Kota Rs. 7600/7650, Bundi Rs. 8000/8050, Uttar Pradesh Rs. 8100/8150 and Desi Badi Rs. 6750/6775 per quintal at the weekend.

Last week also, due to weak buying, prices of lentil in Madhya Pradesh declined by Rs. 100/200 per quintal and over the weekend the prices remained at Ashoknagar Rs. 6000/6300, Bina Rs. 6300/6600, Sagar Rs. 6000/6300, Damoh Rs. 6200/6600, Indore Rs. 6050/6075, Kareli Rs. 5000/6055 and Katni Rs. 6750 per quintal. Uttar Pradesh

Due to weak buying at high prices, during last week, prices of small lentils in Uttar Pradesh fell by Rs. 150 and thick lentils by Rs. 100 per quintal and with this fall, the prices remained at Bareilly small Rs. 8600/8700, thick Rs. 6800, Lalitpur thick Rs. 6100/6250, small Rs. 8000/8300 and Orai Rs. 5700/6200 per quintal.

Due to the impact of all-round fall and weak demand, prices of Bihar lentils fell by Rs. 400 per quintal last week and with this fall, the prices remained at Barh Rs. 7200, Khusrupur Rs. 7100 and Mokama Rs. 7200 per quintal during the weekend. Similarly, prices of Raipur lentils also fell by Rs. 100 per quintal this week and remained at Rs. 6300 per quintal during the weekend.

Due to the fall in price of Masoor and slow buying, prices of Masoor Dal witnessed a fall of Rs. 100/200 per quintal during the last week and with this fall, the weekend prices remained at Indore Rs. 7500, Barh Rs. 8200/8500, Khusrupur Rs. 8100/8400, Mokama Rs. 8200/8500, Chandausi Rs. 9000/9500 and Hyderabad Rs. 8000 per quintal.