★ Urad (black gram) prices have remained under pressure for the past two weeks due to expectations of a better crop, higher acreage and weak buying from millers. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the all-India average wholesale mandi price of urad declined to ₹8,638 per quintal as of August 3, compared with ₹8,908 a week earlier, ₹8,980 two weeks ago and the recent high of ₹9,132.55 per quintal recorded about three weeks earlier.

★ As of July 31, urad acreage increased by 10% to 21.08 lakh hectares from 19.80 lakh hectares a year ago. Uttar Pradesh recorded a 61% rise in acreage to 5.52 lakh hectares, Madhya Pradesh 16% to 6.72 lakh hectares, Rajasthan 20% to 3.75 lakh hectares and Gujarat 40% to 0.71 lakh hectares. In contrast, acreage declined sharply in Maharashtra by 50% to 1.76 lakh hectares and in Karnataka by 25% to 0.71 lakh hectares.

★ Domestic and imported urad prices are facing pressure due to expectations of higher imports, softer Myanmar prices, a stronger rupee, improved kharif sowing following good rainfall and weak demand for urad dal and gota. Millers and traders continue to purchase cautiously amid sluggish consumption.

★ With the arrival of the new kharif crop expected to begin from mid-September and gain momentum by the end of the month, along with fresh shipments from Brazil, urad prices are likely to remain under pressure in the near term. If weather conditions remain favourable, the country is expected to harvest a good urad crop this season, leading to improved market supplies.