New Delhi: The ongoing fierce conflict between Iran and Israel in West Asia is impacting countries across the Middle East and the Gulf region—a region that constitutes the largest market for Indian Basmati rice. Similarly, rising shipping and insurance costs have dampened export demand for both Basmati and general-grade rice varieties.

Paddy arrivals in domestic markets remain limited, and prices are exhibiting a mixed trend, fluctuating in response to buying activity from millers/processors and traders/stockists. During the week of March 14–20, amidst daily arrivals of 4,000–5,000 bags of paddy at Delhi’s Narela market, the price of the '1718' paddy variety rose by ₹210 to reach ₹4,260 per quintal. Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh’s Bhatapara and Rajim markets, paddy prices remained relatively stable alongside normal trading activity.

Paddy arrivals have virtually ceased in most markets across Uttar Pradesh. During the week under review, only Shahjahanpur and Aligarh witnessed marginal supplies. In Rajasthan, the Kota and Bundi markets continued to receive healthy supplies of paddy; bolstered by robust trading, prices in these markets recorded an improvement of ₹100–₹200 per quintal. Arrivals in other markets were either non-existent or negligible.

As for rice, the price of the 'Vishnu Bhog' variety in Bhatapara tumbled by ₹500 to settle at ₹14,000 per quintal. Similarly, in Amritsar, the price of '1509 Sella' rice dropped by ₹150 to range between ₹7,300 and ₹7,350 per quintal. Prices for several other rice varieties also softened by ₹100–₹150. A decline of ₹100–₹200 was also observed in Bundi. In Delhi's Naya Bazar, the price of 1718 Sella rice dropped by ₹200 to ₹7,750 per quintal.