New Delhi: Due to the off-season for supplies, only a few select markets across the country are witnessing limited arrivals of Basmati and 'A' grade non-Basmati paddy. Tensions and the threat of war between Iran and the US—coupled with the closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway to commercial shipping—had hindered India's ability to export rice, particularly Basmati, to West Asia, the Middle East, and the Gulf region. However, the recent ceasefire and peace agreement between the two nations have raised hopes that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. Consequently, Indian millers and processors are showing renewed interest in purchasing paddy, while exporters are displaying significant activity in rice procurement.

During the week of June 13–19, paddy arrivals were largely confined to a handful of markets, including Narela, Bhatapara, Rajim, Shahjahanpur, and the Bundi-Kota region. Prices remained relatively stable at Narela mandi, with daily arrivals ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 bags. Bhatapara saw daily arrivals of 5,500–7,500 bags, but prices softened by ₹100 per quintal due to somewhat subdued buying. Conversely, Rajim mandi witnessed a price increase of ₹50–60 per quintal, driven by robust trading activity despite heavy arrivals of 8,000–10,000 bags.

Daily paddy arrivals stood at 3,000–5,000 bags in Jahangirabad and 1,000 bags in Shahjahanpur. While prices remained steady in Shahjahanpur, the rate for '1509' variety paddy in Jahangirabad surged by ₹280, reaching ₹3,651–3,881 per quintal. Daily arrivals reached 2,000 bags at Bundi mandi and 500–700 bags at Kota. Prices in Bundi rose by ₹100–200 per quintal.

As for rice, robust trading activity in Amritsar (Punjab), Bundi (Rajasthan), and Naya Bazar (Delhi) led to a sharp increase of up to ₹400–500 per quintal in the prices of certain varieties and grades. It is believed that exporters, stockists, and general traders are attempting to build up their inventories ahead of the intensification of the monsoon.