Mumbai. The lentil market witnessed a softening trend during the current week. Prices declined due to increased availability of new lentils in producing markets and weak demand. Due to increasing arrivals, supply pressure in the market has remained strong, preventing prices from being supported. Selling by stockists and importers has also increased as the new crop begins to arrive. Given the ample availability, large buyers are limiting their purchases and purchasing only as needed, leading to a bearish market. The combined effect of a lack of buying at higher levels and increasing supply has put pressure on lentil prices. Arrivals of new lentils have gradually increased in major producing markets in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. As farmers begin selling the new crop, daily arrivals are increasing, leading to competitive selling in the wholesale market. Additionally, offtake of finished goods, i.e., lentils, remains weaker than normal, resulting in limited demand from millers. Arrivals of new lentils will accelerate in the markets after Holi, which is likely to further increase supply pressure. If demand doesn't improve as expected, the increased arrivals could put additional pressure on prices.

Imported lentil prices declined by Rs 25/50 per quintal during the current week due to continued selling by importers. With this decline, the prices at the end of the week remained at Rs 5500/5525 ​​for Mundra, Rs 5550 for Hazira, Rs 5750/5800 for Container Canada and Rs 5800 for Australia. Kolkata lentil prices also remained stable at Rs 5600/5650 for Australia and Rs 5550/5600 per quintal during the weekend.

Due to increased buying, Delhi's large lentil prices rose by Rs 50 and small lentils by Rs 100/150 per quintal during the current week. The prices at the end of the week reached Rs 6800 for small Kota, Rs 7450 for Bundi, Rs 7550 for Uttar Pradesh and Rs 6375/6400 for large Desi.

Due to increased selling pressure and sluggish demand, prices of lentils in Madhya Pradesh declined by Rs 100/200 per quintal this week. With this decline, the weekend prices were Ashoknagar Rs 5500/6000, Bina Rs 5750/6000, Ganjbasoda Rs 5800/6100, Sagar Rs 5750/6000, Damoh Rs 5600/6200, Indore Rs 5550, Kareli Rs 4500/6262 and Katni Rs 6250 per quintal.

Due to subdued buying, small lentil prices in Uttar Pradesh declined by Rs. 100 and large lentil prices declined by Rs. 50 per quintal during the current week, with prices at Bareilly small (Rs. 8200), large (Rs. 6300), Lalitpur thick (Rs. 5800/5900), small (Rs. 7000/7200), and Orai (Rs. 5000/5700) per quintal.

Due to the widespread decline and subdued buying, Bihar lentil prices declined by Rs. 100 per quintal this week, with prices at Barh (Rs. 6200), Khusrupur (Rs. 6100), and Mokama (Rs. 6200). Similarly, Raipur lentil prices also declined by Rs. 50 per quintal this week, remaining at Rs. 5800 per quintal at the weekend.

Due to the fall in the price of Masoor and sluggish demand, the prices of Masoor Dal declined by Rs 100 per quintal during the current week and at the weekend the prices were Rs 6700/6800 in Indore, Rs 7200/7500 in Barh, Rs 7100/7400 in Khushrupur, Rs 7200/7500 in Mokama, Rs 8000/10000 in Chandausi and Rs 7350 per quintal in Hyderabad.