Pressure in the Masoor market; prices soften due to weak mill demand and rising global production estimates.
Masoor prices trended downwards this week due to increased selling pressure and sluggish demand from pulse mills. Prices remain under pressure due to weak domestic demand combined with rising production forecasts for Australia and Canada in the international market. Improved production prospects in both Australia and Canada are expected to boost global supplies. Australia's Masoor production for 2026-27 (April-March) is projected to rise by approximately 5 percent to 2.25 million tonnes; the estimate stood at 2.21 million tonnes in both September and June. This upward revision in production forecasts is exerting downward pressure on international prices. However, domestic availability of Masoor is not entirely comfortable. Arrivals of domestic Masoor in producing markets remain limited, and existing market stocks are considered low, providing some price support domestically. On the other hand, stocks in the central pool are relatively high, and imports are expected to continue at a normal pace. This ensures sustained domestic supply, making a supply crunch unlikely in the near term. Demand for Masoor dal is expected to improve in Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam ahead of the upcoming festive season. A rise in festive demand could boost procurement by pulse mills, offering some support to the domestic market. Due to selling pressure from importers and limited demand, prices of imported Masoor softened by ₹25–50 per quintal this week; rates settled at ₹5,925–6,025/quintal (Mundra vessel), ₹6,075/quintal (Hazira), and ₹6,500/quintal (Mumbai container – Canada origin) and ₹6,400/quintal (Australia origin).
Delhi:
Due to weak buying by dal millers, prices in Delhi fell by ₹175–200 per quintal for small Masoor and ₹75 per quintal for bold (large-grain) Desi Masoor this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹7,450 (Kota small), ₹8,300 (Bundi), ₹8,700–8,750 (Uttar Pradesh), and ₹6,750–6,800 (Desi bold) per quintal.
Madhya Pradesh:
Sluggish buying led to a decline of ₹100 per quintal in Masoor prices across Madhya Pradesh. Weekend prices were recorded as follows: Ashoknagar ₹5,800–6,200, Bina ₹6,100–6,400, Ganjbasoda ₹6,000–6,350, Sagar ₹6,000–6,300, Damoh ₹6,000–6,400, Indore ₹6,100, Kareli ₹5,800–6,815, and Katni ₹6,600 per quintal.
Uttar Pradesh:
Due to sluggish buying, prices in Uttar Pradesh dropped by ₹300 per quintal for small Masoor and ₹50 per quintal for bold Masoor this week. Weekend prices stood at: Bareilly (small) ₹9,800, (bold) ₹6,750–6,775; Lalitpur (bold) ₹5,800–6,150, (small) ₹8,500–9,000; and Orai ₹5,900–6,300 per quintal.
Other Markets:
Prices for Bihar Masoor remained unchanged due to sluggish demand; weekend rates were ₹7,100 (Barh), ₹7,000 (Khusrupur), and ₹7,100 (Mokama) per quintal. Meanwhile, Raipur Masoor saw a softening of ₹50, with prices settling at ₹6,500 per quintal.
Masoor Dal:
There was no significant change in Masoor Dal prices during the current week due to sluggish demand. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹7,100–₹7,250 in Indore, ₹7,900–₹8,100 in Barh, ₹7,800–₹8,000 in Khusrupur, ₹7,900–₹8,100 in Mokama, ₹8,700 in Chandausi, and ₹7,550 per quintal in Hyderabad.
