Weekly Review – Masoor (Lentils)

Masoor prices have shown a downward trend this week, driven by increased selling from NAFED and importers, alongside sluggish demand from pulse mills. Market sentiment remains weak due to the ample availability of imported Masoor and limited buying interest. With the offtake of Masoor dal remaining slow, pulse millers are purchasing only what is strictly necessary, failing to provide sufficient support to the market. The increased availability of imported Masoor has further intensified pressure on prices. A vessel carrying approximately 59,000 tonnes of pulses from Canada—including about 56,000 tonnes of Masoor—arrived at Mundra Port on October 21, 2026. This arrival has ensured a steady supply of imported Masoor at the port. Meanwhile, the combination of selling by NAFED and importers, coupled with weak demand, is exacerbating the pressure from surplus supply in the market. A sustained, strong rally in Masoor prices appears unlikely in the near term. Market direction will depend on demand from pulse mills, the selling activity of NAFED and importers, and existing domestic stock levels. Prices are expected to remain under downward pressure until demand improves and the selling pressure subsides. Due to increased selling by importers and subdued buying interest, prices for imported Masoor have fallen by approximately ₹100 to ₹150 per quintal. Prices for Canadian Masoor (ex-vessel at Mundra) are now at ₹5,750–₹5,850 per quintal, while at Hazira, they stand at ₹5,900 per quintal. In Mumbai, Canadian Masoor (available via containers) is priced at ₹6,300 per quintal, and Australian Masoor at ₹6,200 per quintal.

Due to limited buying by pulse millers, prices for small-grain masoor (lentils) in the Delhi market fell by ₹100–₹150 per quintal this week, while prices for large-grain *desi* (indigenous) masoor declined by ₹50 per quintal. By the end of the week, prices stood at ₹7,200 per quintal in Kota, ₹7,950 in Bundi, ₹8,300–₹8,350 for masoor from Uttar Pradesh, and ₹6,650–₹6,675 for large-grain *desi* masoor.

In the major producing *mandis* (agricultural markets) of Madhya Pradesh, sluggish buying led to a decline in masoor prices by approximately ₹75–₹100 per quintal. By the end of the week, prices were ₹6,000–₹6,250 in Ashoknagar, ₹6,000–₹6,500 in Bina, ₹6,000–₹6,400 in Ganjbasoda, ₹6,000–₹6,100 in Sagar, ₹5,800–₹6,300 in Damoh, ₹6,200 in Indore, ₹5,200–₹6,011 in Kareli, and ₹6,500–₹6,525 per quintal in Katni.

In Uttar Pradesh as well, masoor prices saw a decline due to weak procurement by pulse mills. This week, prices for small-grain masoor dropped by ₹150–₹300 per quintal, while prices for large-grain masoor fell by ₹100–₹150 per quintal. By the weekend, prices for small-grain lentils in Bareilly stood at ₹9,600, while large-grain lentils were priced at ₹6,500–₹6,550. In Lalitpur, large-grain lentils were at ₹5,600–₹5,800 and small-grain lentils at ₹8,000–₹8,200, whereas in Orai, lentil prices were in the range of ₹6,000–₹6,400 per quintal.

Due to sluggish demand in Bihar, lentil prices saw a decline of ₹100 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹7,000 in Barh, ₹6,900 in Khusrupur, and ₹7,000 per quintal in Mokama. Meanwhile, in Raipur, lentil prices softened by ₹50, settling at ₹6,500 per quintal.

Despite a decline in the prices of raw material, there was no significant change in the prices of processed lentil dal (split lentils) during the current week, as demand remained weak. By the weekend, prices for lentil dal were ₹7,100–₹7,250 in Indore, ₹7,900–₹8,100 in Barh, ₹7,800–₹8,000 in Khusrupur, ₹7,900–₹8,100 in Mokama, ₹8,700 in Chandausi, and ₹7,850 per quintal in Hyderabad.