New Delhi. Despite good arrivals of Kharif crop in major markets of key producing states, groundnut prices witnessed a sharp increase of up to Rs. 800 per quintal during the week of January 17-23 due to increased buying activity. Government procurement of groundnuts under the price support scheme continues, and the import ban in Indonesia has also been lifted. Traders and oil millers are actively trying to build up groundnut stocks.

During the week under review, 50,000 bags of groundnuts arrived at the Gondal market in Gujarat on January 20. Similarly, daily arrivals at the Rajkot market remained at 10-20 thousand bags, but no change in prices was observed there. However, groundnut prices increased by Rs. 400 to Rs. 6400 per quintal in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and jumped by Rs. 800 to Rs. 9400 per quintal in Solapur, Maharashtra.

Prices also increased by Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 in the markets of Uttar Pradesh. Groundnut prices improved by Rs. 200 to Rs. 6400/6900 per quintal in Jhansi, increased by Rs. 400 to Rs. 6400-7000 per quintal in Mahoba, and jumped by Rs. 500 to Rs. 6400/6900 per quintal in Mauranipur. Normal daily arrivals of groundnuts continued in these markets.

Trading in shelled groundnuts was brisk in Maharashtra, resulting in a sharp increase of up to Rs. 2200 per quintal in prices. In Solapur, the price of 50-60 count kernels increased by Rs. 2200 to Rs. 14500 per quintal.

The price of loose groundnut oil increased by ₹50 to ₹1650 per 10 kg in Rajkot, Gondal, Junagadh, and Jamnagar in Gujarat. Prices also remained firm in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bikaner, Hyderabad, and Chennai, but the price of branded groundnut oil fell by ₹50 to ₹2600 per tin (15 liters) in Kota.