Mumbai: Throughout the current week, Masoor prices have maintained a consistently upward trend. Prices are receiving strong support due to subdued selling pressure in the market coupled with sustained robust demand. Active buying by stockists and pulse millers has fostered a bullish sentiment within the domestic market. According to traders, increased buying activity in the market is driving a gradual yet steady rise in prices. The balance between demand and supply currently favors higher prices, resulting in a positive market outlook. Masoor prices have also witnessed a rise in the international market. Rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran are disrupting the supply of imported cargo, consequently driving up landing costs. This week, imported Masoor prices recorded an increase of approximately $20–25 per tonne. According to the latest data, on a C&F (Cost and Freight) basis, Australian Masoor has reached approximately $605 per tonne, while Canadian Masoor stands at around $600 per tonne. This surge in import prices is having a direct ripple effect on the domestic market. Driven by higher import costs, stockists and millers continue to engage in consistent buying, thereby bolstering domestic Masoor prices. Given the confluence of strong demand, limited selling pressure, and expensive imports, the bullish trend in the Masoor market is expected to persist in the near future.

With selling pressure from stockists easing and buying interest remaining robust, the current week witnessed a price surge of ₹200 per quintal for both large and small varieties of lentils in Delhi. By the weekend, prices had reached the following levels: Small Kota at ₹7,000; Bundi at ₹7,800; Uttar Pradesh at ₹7,900; and Desi Large at ₹6,700 per quintal.

Sustained buying activity from stockists and pulse millers led to a price increase of ₹100–₹200 per quintal for Madhya Pradesh lentils this week. Following this rise, prices at the weekend stood as follows: Ashoknagar at ₹6,000–₹6,100; Bina at ₹6,050–₹6,200; Ganj Basoda at ₹6,000–₹6,200; Sagar at ₹6,000–₹6,500; Damoh at ₹6,000–₹6,350; Indore at ₹5,600; Kareli at ₹5,350–₹6,260; and Katni at ₹6,450 per quintal.

Driven by strong demand, prices for small Masur (red lentils) in Uttar Pradesh rose by ₹300 per quintal, while prices for large Masur increased by ₹150–200 per quintal during the current week. By the weekend, prices settled at: Bareilly—small ₹7,900, large ₹6,500–6,525; Lalitpur—large ₹6,100–6,275, small ₹7,400–7,600; and Orai—₹6,000–6,350 per quintal.

Supported by a broad-based upward trend and sustained buying activity, prices for Bihar Masur witnessed an increase of ₹100 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices reached: Barh—₹6,300; Khusrupur—₹6,200; and Mokama—₹6,300 per quintal. Similarly, prices for Raipur Masur also saw a rise of ₹100 per quintal this week, settling at ₹6,100 per quintal by the weekend.

Bolstered by the rising trend in raw Masur prices and increased demand, Masur Dal (split red lentils) prices witnessed an increase of ₹100–300 per quintal during the current week. By the weekend, prices stood at: Indore—₹6,800–7,000; Barh—₹7,300–7,600; Khusrupur—₹7,200–7,500; Mokama—₹7,300–7,600; Chandausi—₹8,300–9,800; and Hyderabad—₹7,450 per quintal.