Weekly Review: Paddy & Rice
14-Mar-2026 09:09 PM
Mixed Trends in Paddy and Rice Prices Amidst Iran Conflict
New Delhi: Exports of Indian Basmati rice to countries across West Asia, the Middle East, and the Gulf region are being severely impacted due to the conflict between Iran and the United States.
Exports
This situation has begun to have repercussions on the domestic paddy and rice market. Approximately 45 percent of India's Basmati rice exports are directed toward countries in this region—including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar. Indian exports to all these nations are currently facing bottlenecks.
Off-Season
Meanwhile, within the domestic sector, the current period marks the "off-season" for supply; consequently, the arrival of Basmati and 'A' Grade paddy in major markets has declined significantly. As a result—and driven by the specific demand from millers/processors and traders/exporters—prices during the week of March 7–13 exhibited a mixed trend, rising in some areas while softening in others.
Delhi
At Delhi's Narela market, daily arrivals of paddy ranged between 2,000 and 6,000 bags. Prices for the '1121' paddy variety declined by ₹110 per quintal, whereas the price for the '1509 Combine' variety rose by ₹200 per quintal.
At the Najafgarh market, paddy prices remained stable amidst limited arrivals of rice. No significant price fluctuations were observed in Bhatapara and Rajim (Chhattisgarh) either.
Uttar Pradesh
Paddy arrivals are currently being recorded in only a few markets within Uttar Pradesh, notably Shahjahanpur and Aligarh. Haryana's Taraori market witnessed only marginal paddy arrivals. However, the Bundi and Kota markets in Rajasthan received a robust supply of paddy; driven by brisk trading activity, prices in these markets surged by ₹100–200 per quintal.
Rice
As for rice itself, prices also witnessed fluctuations. The magnitude of these price movements—whether upward or downward—ranged between ₹100 and ₹200 per quintal. The rice trade in Amritsar was robust, and consequently, an improvement in prices was recorded there.