Chennai: During the current week, the Urad markets across the country witnessed a trend of one-sided decline. Due to a lack of buying interest and mounting selling pressure, prices remained consistently soft, resulting in a visibly weak overall market sentiment. Throughout the week, demand for Urad dal remained relatively subdued. Buying activity by dal millers and processors remained limited due to sluggish consumption at both retail and wholesale levels. With millers making fewer purchases, the market failed to receive the expected support, leading to a continued downward spiral in prices. According to trade sources, there has been no significant improvement in the consumption of pulses for some time now. Rising inflation and a decline in consumer demand are adversely affecting pulse consumption, which is having a direct impact on the Urad market. Furthermore, given the limited demand, millers are purchasing only as per their immediate requirements; consequently, the likelihood of a market rally remains slim for the time being. On the other hand, the ample availability of Urad at ports has also contributed to increasing pressure on the market. Amidst a continuous influx of imported cargo and sufficient stock levels, the lack of demand is disrupting the supply-demand equilibrium. Consequently, the market continues to face pressure from excess supply, which is dragging prices down. According to *iGrain India*, unless there is a distinct improvement in the demand for Urad dal, the prospects of a market recovery appear remote. Prices may find some support only if consumer demand and buying activity by millers pick up in the near future. Driven by increased selling pressure from importers and sluggish demand, Urad prices in Chennai recorded a decline of ₹125–175 per quintal this week; following this drop, the rates settled at ₹7,800 per quintal for FAQ (Fair Average Quality) grade and ₹8,400 per quintal for SQ (Superior Quality) grade Urad. Similarly, Mumbai Urad prices witnessed a decline of ₹150 per quintal this week; following this downturn, prices settled at ₹7,850 per quintal by the weekend.

Due to increased selling pressure from exporters and persistently sluggish export demand, Burma Urad prices declined by $5 per tonne for both FAQ and SQ grades during the current week. Consequently, by the weekend, prices stood at $845 per tonne for FAQ and $940 per tonne for SQ.

Influenced by the downward trend at the ports and weakening buying interest from pulse millers, Urad prices in Delhi recorded a decline of ₹100 per quintal this week. Following this drop, prices at the weekend settled at ₹8,225 per quintal for FAQ and ₹8,825 per quintal for SQ.

Amidst sluggish buying and selling activity, Urad prices in Madhya Pradesh witnessed a decline of ₹50–₹100 per quintal during the current week. Consequently, by the weekend, prices settled at ₹5,000–₹8,400 in Jabalpur, ₹6,900–₹8,100 in Kareli, ₹6,000–₹7,450 in Damoh, and ₹6,500–₹8,500 per quintal in Indore.

Due to persistently weak demand from stockists and pulse millers, Urad prices in Maharashtra recorded a decline of ₹100–₹200 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices settled at ₹8,350 in Akola, ₹4,000–₹7,000 in Latur, ₹7,000–₹7,800 in Jalgaon, ₹5,000–₹7,000 in Barshi, and ₹4,500–₹7,500 per quintal in Ahmednagar.

Due to continued weak buying interest, a decline of ₹100–150 per quintal was recorded in Urad prices in the Krishna District and Vijayawada this week. Consequently, by the end of the week, prices settled at ₹7,900 per quintal in the Krishna District and ₹7,900–8,000 per quintal in Vijayawada. Similarly, Urad prices in Rajasthan also witnessed a decline of ₹200 per quintal this week, with prices closing the week at ₹7,600–8,600 per quintal in Jaipur and ₹6,000–8,000 per quintal in Kota.

Reflecting the downward trend in Urad prices and dampened demand, Urad Dal prices recorded a decline of ₹100–200 per quintal this week. By the end of the week, prices stood at ₹9,750–11,200 per quintal in Delhi, ₹9,600–10,500 in Bhatapara, ₹8,900–11,100 in Jalgaon, ₹8,900–9,800 in Meerut, and ₹9,800–13,500 per quintal in Indore.