Mumbai: During the current week, the lentil market continued to face selling pressure, while demand remained sluggish, leading to a downward trend in prices. Weak demand for lentils resulted in limited purchases by dal millers, preventing the market from receiving the expected support. Due to weak demand, lentil prices fluctuated throughout the week, and the market remained under pressure. According to traders, demand at the consumer level remains lower than normal, and stockists are also adopting a cautious approach. In addition, increased availability of imported lentils at the ports has maintained continuous selling pressure from importers. Increased arrivals have ensured a smooth supply in the domestic market, leading to further price weakness.

Due to reduced activity from buyers and sellers, lentil trading in Western Canadian markets remained limited, and prices mostly remained stable. This week, the price of No. 2 grade large green lentils fell to 25 cents per pound, while No. 1 grade small green lentils were priced at 20-22 cents per pound. The FOB price of red lentils was 21 cents and the delivery price was 22.8 cents per pound. According to analysts, lentil prices may remain soft or stable for the next few weeks. Record production and aggressive exports from Australia are putting pressure on Canadian exporters, while the market direction is likely to become clearer only after the new crop arrives in India in March-April.

Increased availability of imported lentils at the ports led to increased selling pressure from importers, resulting in a decline of Rs. 100 per quintal in the prices of imported lentils during the current week. At the end of the week, the prices were Rs. 5525/5550 per quintal at Mundra, Rs. 5625/5650 per quintal at Hazira, and Rs. 5850 per quintal for Canadian container and Rs. 5900 per quintal for Australian container. Similarly, lentil prices in Kolkata also registered a decline of Rs. 50 per quintal this week, with prices settling at Rs. 6000 per quintal for Australian and Rs. 5850 per quintal for Canadian varieties at the end of the week.

Due to increased selling by stockists, Delhi witnessed a decline of Rs. 100 per quintal in large lentils and Rs. 50 per quintal in small lentils this week. Prices at the end of the week were Rs. 7150 for small Kota, Rs. 8600 for Bundi, Rs. 8800 for Uttar Pradesh, and Rs. 6600/6625 per quintal for large domestic varieties.

Due to sluggish demand, lentil prices in Madhya Pradesh registered a decline of Rs. 50/100 per quintal this week. At the end of the week, prices were Rs. 5800/6000 in Ashoknagar, Rs. 5800/6300 in Bina, Rs. 5700/6000 in Ganjbasoda, Rs. 5500/6000 in Sagar, Rs. 5800/6300 in Damoh, Rs. 5850 in Indore, Rs. 5451/5901 in Kareli, and Rs. 6350/6400 per quintal in Katni.

Due to subdued buying, small lentil prices in Uttar Pradesh declined by Rs. 100 and large lentils by Rs. 50 per quintal this week. At the end of the week, prices were Rs. 9500 for small Bareilly, Rs. 6650 for large Bareilly, Rs. 5800/6100 for large Lalitpur, Rs. 7500/7800 for small Lalitpur, and Rs. 5000/5750 per quintal in Orai.

Due to the overall downward trend and subdued buying, lentil prices in Bihar remained unchanged this week. Prices at the end of the week remained stable at Rs. 6800 in Barh, Rs. 6700 in Khusrupur, and Rs. 6700 per quintal in Mokama. Similarly, no significant fluctuations were observed in Raipur lentil prices this week, and the rates remained stable at Rs. 6300 per quintal at the end of the week.

Due to the impact of the decline in lentil prices and sluggish demand, lentil dal prices witnessed a fall of Rs. 50-100 per quintal during the current week, and at the end of the week, the prices were as follows: Indore Rs. 7000/7100, Barh Rs. 7800/8100, Khusrupur Rs. 7700/8100, Mokama Rs. 7800/8100, Chandausi Rs. 9500/10500 and Hyderabad Rs. 7550 per quintal.