New Delhi. Business in the paddy-rice market is seen to be sluggish. There is no or negligible arrival of non-Basmati paddy during Kharif season and demand for Basmati paddy has weakened. The export offer price of Basmati rice has come down in the global market, so millers-processors and exporters are not getting incentive to buy paddy at high prices. During the week from 29 March to 4 April, a mixed trend was seen in the prices of paddy while the price of rice remained stable.

In Delhi's Narela Mandi, the price of 1121 and 1509 hand paddy softened by Rs 50 and Rs 20 per quintal respectively, but the price of 1718 improved by Rs 100 and the price of Taj improved by Rs 50. Daily arrival of paddy in Narela Mandi was recorded between 12-15 thousand bags. The price of paddy remained stable with negligible arrival in Najafgarh Mandi.

500/600 bags of paddy arrived in Bhatpara Mandi of Chhattisgarh and 1500 bags of paddy arrived in Rajim Mandi daily and slight fluctuations were seen in the prices.

3000-4000 bags of paddy were supplied in Amritsar, Punjab and the price of 1718 improved by Rs. 75. On the other hand, with the daily arrival of 2000-3000 bags in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, the price of 1509 paddy fell by Rs. 100 to Rs. 2250 per quintal. There is a good arrival of paddy in the mandis of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan but the business is seen to be sluggish. The price of 1509 improved by Rs. 100 to Rs. 2500 per quintal in Jahangirabad. There was also a rise of Rs. 100 in Shahjahanpur. 

As far as rice is concerned, due to the inactivity of buyers, the price remained stable in most of the markets. These include Bhatpara, Raichur (Karnataka), Amritsar, Rajim and Nagar (Uttarakhand) etc. Due to some trading in some varieties of rice in Bundi of Rajasthan and Karnal of Haryana, the price fluctuated by 50-100 rupees. There was lack of trading in Naya Bazar of Delhi.