New Delhi. Due to weak demand from millers-processors, the price of paddy remained soft in various markets of the country during the week of 12-18 July. The arrival of non-Basmati rice of food grain category is decreasing very much and the supply of Basmati rice is also in off season. The transplantation of Kharif paddy is going on in full swing, the harvesting and preparation of which will start in October.

Normal price fluctuations were observed with average daily arrivals of 4000-6000 bags of paddy at Bhatapara in Chhattisgarh and 6000/8000 bags at Rajim. Mahamaya paddy prices in Bhatapara rose by Rs 100 to Rs 2100/2200 per quintal, while Swarna prices in Rajim improved by Rs 55 to Rs 1880 per quintal.

As far as rice is concerned, its export demand remains strong, while there is no problem of supply and availability. Exporters are getting sufficient quantity of rice as per their requirement and there is no shortage of rice with the domestic sellers as well as the millers. Huge stock of rice is available in government warehouses. The exchange rate of rupee against dollar remains at an attractive level from the point of view of rice export business. The price of 1 US dollar has increased to above 86 rupees. The price of rice remains stable in Bhatpara Mandi. It is worth mentioning that normal rice from Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh-Orissa and Basmati rice from Punjab-Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand are exported on a large scale.