Mumbai: A bearish trend prevailed in the domestic Masoor market throughout the week. Prices remained under constant pressure due to weak demand, increased selling, and need-based buying by pulse mills. With consumer-level demand falling short of expectations, millers are purchasing only to meet immediate requirements, failing to provide adequate market support. Although arrivals in producing-region markets remain below normal, the lack of demand recovery means this has not positively impacted prices. Buyer activity in the market currently remains limited. Market experts note that Masoor prices are currently trading below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Consequently, farmers and stockists are avoiding aggressive selling, which is providing some support to the market at lower levels. Given the limited arrivals and controlled stock situation, a significant price drop in the near term is considered unlikely. Conversely, if demand for pulses improves in the coming months, the Masoor market could regain strength. For now, the market's direction will depend on demand recovery and the availability of imported Masoor. Prices of imported Masoor fell by ₹50–100 per quintal this week due to increased selling by importers and weak demand. By the weekend, trading took place at ₹5,650–5,700 per quintal for Mundra-origin Canadian Masoor, ₹5,650–5,675 for Hazira-origin, ₹5,900–5,950 for containerized Canadian Masoor, and ₹5,950 for Australian Masoor.

The Masoor market in Canada remains under pressure due to favorable crop progress, rising temperatures, and weak demand. The FOB price for large green Masoor (for July-August shipment) has dropped to 22–23 cents per pound, while buyers are limiting purchases as they await the new crop. Red lentil prices remain steady at 23–24 cents per pound amidst expectations of a new harvest arriving in August-September. Meanwhile, the global lentil market is expected to remain under pressure due to the likelihood of increased production in Australia.

Due to sluggish buying, prices in Delhi saw a decline of ₹50–100 per quintal during the week. By the weekend, rates stood at ₹7,300/quintal for 'Chhoti Kota', ₹8,150 for 'Bundi', ₹8,600 for 'Uttar Pradesh' variety, and ₹6,725 for 'Desi Badi'.

With buying remaining sluggish, no fluctuation was observed in lentil prices in Madhya Pradesh this week. Weekend rates settled at: Ashoknagar ₹6,000–6,300, Bina ₹6,000–6,300, Ganjbasoda ₹5,800–6,100, Sagar ₹6,000–6,200, Damoh ₹5,700–6,200, Indore ₹6,200, Kareli ₹4,600–6,300, and Katni ₹6,550 per quintal.

Due to slackening demand, a decline of ₹100 per quintal for 'Chhoti' (small) lentil and ₹50 per quintal for 'Badi' (bold/large) lentil was recorded in Uttar Pradesh this week. Weekend rates stood at: Bareilly (Chhoti) ₹9,900 and (Moti/Bold) ₹6,700; Lalitpur (Moti) ₹6,200–6,250 and (Chhoti) ₹8,800–9,200; and Orai ₹6,000–6,250 per quintal.

Reflecting the impact of a broad-based decline and sluggish demand, Bihar lentil prices softened by ₹50 per quintal this week. Weekend rates settled at: Barh ₹6,800, Khusrupur ₹6,700, and Mokama ₹6,800 per quintal. Similarly, the price of masoor (red lentil) in Raipur also saw a decline of ₹50 per quintal this week, settling at ₹6,200 per quintal by the weekend.

Driven by the drop in raw masoor prices and subdued demand, the price of masoor dal fell by ₹50–100 per quintal during the week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹7,300–7,400 per quintal in Indore; ₹7,500–7,800 in Barh; ₹7,400–7,700 in Khusrupur; ₹7,500–7,800 in Mokama; ₹8,500 in Chandausi; and ₹7,650 in Hyderabad.