News Capsule: Impact of unseasonal rains on rabi crops
08-Apr-2026 05:12 PM
News Capsule: Impact of unseasonal rains on rabi crops
★ Unseasonal rains and hailstorms have affected wheat crops in several northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The impact has been more severe in areas where the crop was at the harvesting stage.
★ In many regions, crop damage is estimated at around 10–20%, while in some areas the impact has reached 25–30%. The main issue is a decline in grain quality, known as lustre loss, where the grains lose their shine, become discoloured, and may shrink.
★ Due to this, wheat prices in the market are expected to vary based on quality. Lower-quality wheat will sell at a discount, while better-quality wheat may command a premium. Overall production may decline by around 5–8%.
★ Other rabi crops such as chana, masoor, and maize have seen minimal impact, as most of these crops had already been harvested or were in the final stages of harvesting.
★ Overall, the biggest impact of this weather has been on wheat quality, which is likely to lead to price differences in the market based on quality in the coming period.