Weekly Review: Paddy & Rice
11-Apr-2026 08:17 PM
Mixed Trends in Paddy and Rice Prices Amidst Normal Trading Activity
New Delhi: The supply of *Kharif* (monsoon) season paddy—particularly Basmati—is gradually declining in major producing markets, while the arrival of non-Basmati paddy has become negligible. Harvesting and processing preparations for the new *Rabi* (winter) season paddy crop have largely commenced; however, this crop is not cultivated in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. Consequently, paddy arrivals in the markets (*mandis*) of these states remain very low.
Delhi
During the week of April 4–10, a slight improvement in paddy prices was recorded at Delhi's Narela *mandi*, accompanied by an average daily arrival of 5,000 to 7,000 bags. The market received a boost following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
Ceasefire
India exports the largest volume of Basmati rice to the Gulf region, West Asia, and the Middle East. If the conflict between Iran and the U.S. comes to an end and a consensus on lasting peace is reached, the pace of Basmati rice exports from India is expected to accelerate; consequently, wholesale market prices for Basmati paddy are also anticipated to improve. However, should the peace negotiations fail, the situation could once again take a turn for the worse.
Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, paddy prices in Shahjahanpur remained relatively stable. However, in Aligarh, the price of the '1509 Hand' variety rose by ₹350 to reach ₹4,300 per quintal, while the price of the '1718' variety surged by ₹400 to touch ₹4,500 per quintal. In the Bundi and Kota markets of Rajasthan, prices for various paddy varieties witnessed an increase of ₹200–₹300 per quintal, driven by robust arrivals and strong buying activity.
Rice
As far as rice is concerned, strong buying interest from traders and exporters in Amritsar led to a price surge of ₹250 to ₹400 per quintal across various varieties—including the '1121 Sella' variety. Prices at the Bundi mandi also rose by ₹400 per quintal. In Delhi's Naya Bazar, rice prices remained firm, and trading activity was robust.