Chennai: Prices in the domestic Urad market saw a significant rise this week, driven by limited selling and robust buying interest. Active purchasing by dal mills and stockists created a firm market sentiment, while concerns regarding the crop—stemming from a weak monsoon—also lent support to prices. According to trade sources, Kharif sowing has failed to gain the expected momentum due to the monsoon's sluggish progress in Urad-producing states. Government data indicates that Urad has been sown across only 3.01 lakh hectares so far, compared to 4.63 lakh hectares during the same period last year; thus, the acreage is 1.62 lakh hectares lower year-on-year. Amidst concerns over poor sowing and potential production, stockists and dal millers have ramped up purchases, keeping market demand strong. Traders believe that if the monsoon does not improve significantly in the coming days, Urad prices could receive further upward support. With reduced selling by importers and improved buying interest, Chennai Urad prices surged by ₹400–₹450 per quintal this week, reaching ₹8,650 per quintal for FAQ and ₹9,500 per quintal for SQ varieties.

Driven by subdued selling from exporters and improved export demand, Burma Urad prices rose by $20 per tonne for FAQ and $25 per tonne for SQ varieties this week; by the weekend, prices stood at $895 per tonne for FAQ and $990 per tonne for SQ.

Supported by the uptrend at ports and rising demand, Urad prices in Delhi recorded an increase of ₹300–₹450 per quintal this week. With this rise, weekend prices reached ₹8,650 per quintal for FAQ and ₹9,475–₹9,500 per quintal for SQ varieties.

Driven by subdued selling and increased demand, Urad prices in Madhya Pradesh saw a surge of ₹400–₹500 per quintal during the week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹5,000–₹9,000 in Jabalpur, ₹5,000–₹8,900 in Kareli, ₹7,400–₹8,500 in Damoh, and ₹7,000–₹9,200 per quintal in Indore.

With both buying and selling activity remaining sluggish, Urad prices in Maharashtra saw no fluctuation this week. Weekend prices remained stable at ₹8,450 in Akola, ₹4,000–₹7,600 in Latur, ₹7,400–₹8,500 in Jalgaon, ₹5,000–₹8,000 in Barshi, and ₹4,500–₹7,500 per quintal in Ahmednagar.

Supported by a broad-based uptrend and sustained buying, Urad prices in Krishna District and Vijayawada rose by ₹450 per quintal this week; weekend prices reached ₹9,500 per quintal in Krishna District and ₹9,400 per quintal in Vijayawada. Similarly, Urad prices in Rajasthan increased by ₹200 per quintal, with weekend rates settling at ₹7,400–₹8,400 in Jaipur and ₹7,500–₹8,600 per quintal in Kota.

Driven by rising demand and the upward trend in Urad prices, the price of Urad dal increased by ₹400–₹500 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹10,450–₹12,150 per quintal in Delhi, ₹9,500–₹11,000 in Bhatapara, ₹11,550 in Jalgaon, ₹9,500–₹10,500 in Meerut, and ₹10,500–₹12,000 in Vijayawada.