Weekly Review – Masoor (Lentil)

Masoor prices in the domestic market showed a downward trend this week. The market remained under pressure due to profit-booking by stockists at higher price levels, increased selling by importers, and subdued buying interest from pulse millers. Market sentiment has been impacted by a rise in selling at higher price points following a recent rally. Meanwhile, as the consumption of processed Masoor (lentil dal) has not shown the expected improvement, millers are exercising caution in procuring raw material. The primary reason for the decline in the Masoor market is the limited purchasing by pulse mills. Since selling processed Masoor at higher price levels has become challenging, mills are currently limiting their procurement to immediate requirements only. Consequently, Masoor prices in producing markets and major trading hubs remain under pressure. Until there is an improvement in the demand for the processed pulse, a significant surge in buying by millers appears unlikely. Imported Masoor also witnessed a softening trend this week; prices fell by approximately ₹100–150 per quintal due to increased selling by importers and weak demand. Prices for Masoor arriving by ship stood at ₹5,900–6,000 per quintal at Mundra and ₹6,075 per quintal at Hazira. In Mumbai, Canadian Masoor (arriving via container) was priced at ₹6,400 per quintal, while Australian Masoor was at ₹6,300 per quintal.

Due to limited buying by pulse millers, prices for 'small' (small-grained) Masoor in the Delhi market declined by ₹75–150 per quintal, while 'desi' (indigenous) 'large' (large-grained) Masoor saw a drop of ₹100 per quintal this week. By the end of the week, prices for small-grain lentils stood at ₹7,350 per quintal in Kota and ₹8,050 in Bundi; lentils from Uttar Pradesh were priced at ₹8,450, while large-grain 'desi' (indigenous) lentils were at ₹6,700–₹6,725 per quintal.

Due to sluggish buying in major producing markets across Madhya Pradesh, lentil prices saw a decline of approximately ₹100 to ₹150 per quintal. By the weekend, prices were ₹6,000–₹6,200 in Ashoknagar, ₹6,200–₹6,500 in Bina, ₹6,000–₹6,400 in Ganjbasoda, ₹6,000–₹6,200 in Sagar, ₹6,000–₹6,500 in Damoh, ₹6,200 in Indore, ₹5,200–₹6,661 in Kareli, and ₹6,650 per quintal in Katni.

In Uttar Pradesh, lentil prices also declined due to weak procurement by pulse mills. This week, prices for small-grain lentils softened by ₹100 per quintal, and those for large-grain lentils by ₹50 per quintal. By the weekend, prices in Bareilly were ₹9,800 for small-grain lentils and ₹6,800 for large-grain lentils; in Lalitpur, large-grain lentils were ₹6,000–₹6,200 and small-grain lentils were ₹8,500–₹8,800, while in Orai, lentil prices ranged from ₹6,000 to ₹6,350 per quintal.

In Bihar, lentil prices fell by ₹100 per quintal this week due to sluggish demand. By the end of the week, prices stood at Rs 7,000 per quintal in Barh, Rs 6,900 in Khusrupur, and Rs 7,000 in Mokama. Meanwhile, in Raipur, the price of masoor (lentil) saw a decline of Rs 50, bringing it to Rs 6,500 per quintal.

Despite a drop in the prices of raw materials, there was no significant change in the prices of processed masoor dal during the current week, primarily due to weak demand. By the end of the week, prices for masoor dal were Rs 7,100–7,250 per quintal in Indore, Rs 7,900–8,100 in Barh, Rs 7,800–8,000 in Khusrupur, Rs 7,900–8,100 in Mokama, Rs 8,700 in Chandausi, and Rs 7,850 in Hyderabad.